ISLAMABAD: After days of speculation, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed during a news conference on Thursday that the United States had informed its officials that Pakistani diplomats in the US will face travel restrictions.
“We have received official communication regarding certain measures that the US intends to implement with effect from May 1, 2018,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammad Faisal said during his weekly news briefing.
Pakistan’s envoys in the US will only be able to travel within a 40 kilometer radius of the city in which they are posted. To go any further, they will have to inform authorities of their plans and request permission.
On Tuesday, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon said during an interview that Washington would implement travel restrictions that are “reciprocal” to restrictions already imposed by Islamabad that prevent American diplomats from visiting the tribal belt or Karachi. He played down the move, saying it was “common in diplomacy.”
Former diplomat Javed Hafiz described the US decision as “unusual and unfortunate.”
“The basic duty and function of a diplomat is to promote relations, may it be any area of cooperation, and for that the diplomat has to travel all over,” he said. “Both governments will have to review this very carefully because this can negatively impact their long-standing relations.”
US-Pakistan relations soured last year after President Donald Trump criticized and humiliated Washington’s “major non-NATO ally” by questioning its commitment to fighting terrorism, cutting aid and placing it on various sanctions lists.
The restrictions stem from a growing lack of trust and a number of incidents, including the 2011 US Navy SEAL raid in Abbottabad during which Osama Bin Laden was killed, which was carried out without Pakistan’s knowledge.
Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court sought a report on Wednesday from Pakistan’s Attorney General to place US Defense and Air Attaché Col. Joseph Emanuel Hall on the Federal Investigation Agency’s Exit Control List, which would bar him from leaving the country.
The diplomat was the driver of a vehicle that jumped two red traffic lights at an intersection on main Margalla road and hit motorcyclist Ateeq Baig and his pillion rider Raheel Ahmed. Baig died, while Ahmed suffered a broken leg and other injuries.
The presiding judge, Justice Amir Farooq, pointed out that diplomatic immunity does not give anyone a license to kill.
“Him being a diplomat does not mean he can kill our citizens…if our law protects him, it protects our citizens too,” said the judge.
He also reprimanded police officials for mishandling the case and ignoring proper procedures.
“In such circumstances, alcohol tests are conducted but the police failed to conduct any, wasting any evidence that could have been found,” he said.
A US embassy spokesperson denied that Hall was driving under the influence of alcohol and added: “We are in close contact with the relevant Pakistani officials.” What caused Hall to jump the traffic lights remains unclear.
Legal expert Sharafat Ali said that under the Vienna Convention and 1972 Diplomatic and Consular Privileges Act, it is not possible for a court to extend its legal jurisdiction or place a travel ban on a diplomat.
“The diplomat cannot be prosecuted (in the host country) and enjoys immunity from criminal jurisdiction, unless the US (the sending state) decides otherwise,” said Ali.
Faisal, the Foreign Office spokesman, also pointed out on Thursday that under “Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, which...deal with diplomatic immunity,” the possibility of holding Hall in Pakistan for criminal proceedings was unlikely.
“We are awaiting the outcome of preliminary investigations from the Islamabad Police, based on which further action will be initiated,” he added.
Washington imposes travel restrictions on Pakistani diplomats
Washington imposes travel restrictions on Pakistani diplomats
- The decision, effective from May 1, 2018, is a counter to restrictions already placed on US diplomats by Pakistan
- Under 1961 Vienna Convention, diplomats have immunity from the laws of their host country
Stars and royals gather for the BAFTA film awards, with ‘One Battle’ and ‘Sinners’ leading the race
- William is due to present an award in his role as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts
- Among the biggest receptions from gathered fans was for Paddington, the puppet bear who stars in a musical stage adaption of the beloved children’s classic
LONDON: Hollywood stars and British celebrities, from Paddington Bear to the Princess of Wales, gathered Sunday for the British Academy Film Awards, where politically charged thriller “One Battle After Another” and blues-steeped epic “Sinners” led the field of nominees.
The two films snagged early prizes, with Wunmi Mosaku taking the supporting actress award for “Sinners,” and Sean Penn winning the supporting actor trophy for “One Battle After Another.”
Oddsmakers suggest Shakespearean family tragedy “Hamnet” could beat the front-runners to best picture if British film industry voters respond to the emotionally rich story, earthy English setting and intense performances in Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel.
Stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close and Ethan Hawke were among those walking the red carpet outside London’s Royal Festival Hall before a black-tie ceremony hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming.
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales also attended, three days after William’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by police and held for 11 hours over allegations he sent sensitive government information to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The scandal has rocked the royal family led by King Charles III, though William and Kate remain popular standard-bearers for the monarchy. William is due to present an award in his role as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Among the biggest receptions from gathered fans was for Paddington, the puppet bear who stars in a musical stage adaption of the beloved children’s classic.
Oscars bellwether
“One Battle” has 14 nominations, including best picture and acting nods for five of its cast. “Sinners” is just behind with 13, while “Hamnet” and the ping-pong odyssey “Marty Supreme” each have 11 nominations.
Guillermo del Toro’s reimagining of “Frankenstein” and Norwegian family drama ” Sentimental Value” each got eight nominations.
The British prizes, officially called the EE BAFTA Film Awards, often provide hints about who will win at Hollywood’s Academy Awards, held this year on March 15. In the Oscar nominations, “Sinners” leads the race with a record 16 nominations, followed by “One Battle After Another” with 13.
Cumming told the audience that it had been a strong year for cinema, if not a cheerful one, with nominated films tackling themes including child death, racism and political violence:
“Watching the films this year was like taking part in a collective nervous breakdown,” he said. “It’s almost as though there are events going on in the real world that are influencing filmmakers.”
The BAFTA best film nominees are “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sinners” and “Sentimental Value.” The BAFTAs also have a distinctly British accent, with a separate category for best British film. Its 10 nominees include “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Pillion,” “I Swear” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”
Directing contenders are Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle,” Josh Safdie for “Marty Supreme,” Ryan Coogler for “Sinners,” Yorgos Lanthimos for dystopian tragicomedy “Bugonia,” Joachim Trier for “Sentimental Value” and Zhao for “Hamnet.” Zhao will be the first female director to win two BAFTAs if she takes the prize. She won the directing award in 2021 for “Nomadland.”
Best leading actor nominees are bookies’ favorite Chalamet for “Marty Supreme,” DiCaprio for “One Battle After Another,” Ethan Hawke for Broadway biopic “Blue Moon,” Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners,” Jesse Plemons for “Bugonia” and Robert Aramayo for playing an advocate for people with Tourette’s syndrome in biographical drama “I Swear.”
The leading actress category includes the strongly favored Jessie Buckley for her performance as Agnes Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare, in “Hamnet.” She’s up against Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Kate Hudson for “Song Sung Blue,” Chase Infiniti for “One Battle After Another,” Renate Reinsve for “Sentimental Value” and Emma Stone for “Bugonia.”
“One Battle” actors Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn are all nominated for supporting performances.
AP gets documentary nod
The Associated Press was recognized in the best documentary category with a nomination for Mstyslav Chernov’s harrowing Ukraine war portrait “2000 Meters to Andriivka, ” co-produced by the AP and Frontline PBS.
Most BAFTA winners are chosen by 8,500 members of the UK academy of industry professionals. Contenders for the Rising Star award — the only prize decided by public vote and a reliable picker of future A-listers — are Infiniti, Aramayo, “Sinners” star Miles Caton and British actors Archie Madekwe and Posy Sterling.
Donna Langley, the UK-born chairwoman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, will be awarded the British Academy’s highest honor, the BAFTA fellowship.
The ceremony airs on BBC in the United Kingdom starting at 7 p.m. (1900 GMT) and on E! in the US at 8 p.m. EST.
