Qureshi rejects US gunman's immunity

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Wednesday that a US official accused of killing two Pakistanis while he was still minister did not have full diplomatic immunity.

Qureshi, who was not included in a new cabinet formed last week, said that following the January 27 incident and after consultations with experts he was not persuaded by US claims that Raymond Davis was immune from prosecution.

Qureshi made the comments after meeting US Senator John Kerry, who was in Pakistan this week to try and resolve a bitter diplomatic row over Davis' fate.

Pakistan's fragile ties with the United States have spun into crisis since Davis was taken into custody and confessed to shooting dead two men in self-defence on a busy street in Lahore on January 27.

Qureshi however defended what he called his "principled" stand on the issue in his role as minister.

"I was given a briefing by the experts in the foreign ministry who said that in their opinion the blanket immunity being demanded by the US embassy for Raymond Davis does not apply in this case," Qureshi told a press conference.

Qureshi said his opinion was also endorsed by the interior ministry.

He said he had conveyed his point of view to the leadership of the ruling Pakistan People's Party and they "agreed that the matter is in court and the court will decide the issue".

He refused to give further details, citing the possibility that he might be summoned to testify.

"If summoned by the court, I will give my opinion with honesty" Qureshi said.

"Davis' case has become an issue of Pakistan's honour and dignity" he added.

"Both Pakistan and the US need each other. We want to resolve this issue, we don't want confrontation."