US Defence and Air Attaché Colonel Emanual Joseph, who is involved in killing of a motorcyclist in a road accident in the federal capital, does not have ‘absolute immunity’, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled on Friday. The court granted two weeks to the Ministry of Interior to decide over placing his name on the exit control list (ECL). The directives were issued in a verdict on a petition filed by the victim’s father requesting the court to direct the IGP, chief commissioner and the SHO to ensure fair and transparent investigation and place Hall’s name on the ECL. The counsel for petitioner had argued before Justice Aamer Farooq that “absolute immunity of diplomats may defeat citizens’ trust in the justice system.” He had said that if rights of the citizens are not upheld and an innocent person is deprived of his life, a chaotic situation may arise where the population will have no trust in the criminal justice system of the country. After hearing the arguments on May 8, the court had reserved the verdict. In a recent development in the case, one of Joseph’s security officials was also arrested on the orders of AIG Islamabad Asmatullah Junejo. The security official, Taimur, was arrested for obstructing a police official from performing his duty. Arrest orders were also issued for all other officials involved in helping Joseph flee from the police station. Published in Daily Times, May 12th 2018.