ISLAMABAD: US Defense and Air Attaché Col. Emanuel Joseph, who killed Pakistani Ateeq Baig with his vehicle, does not have absolute immunity, the Islamabad High Court ruled on Friday, a local daily reported.
In light of this, the court granted two weeks to the Interior Ministry to decide whether to place Joseph’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Earlier, the ministry had blacklisted him and submitted a report to the court. Police officials in Islamabad had released Joseph, believing that he had diplomatic immunity under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
On April 7, he ran a red light and hit a motorcycle in the federal capital, killing Baig and injuring another person. On April 20, the government decided not to place Joseph’s name on the ECL.
But the deceased’s father filed a petition with the court pleading for Joseph’s name to be placed on the list.
US attaché does not have absolute immunity — Islamabad High Court
US attaché does not have absolute immunity — Islamabad High Court
- Interior Ministry granted two weeks to decide whether to place Col. Joseph’s name on Exit Control List
- On April 7, Air Attaché Col. Emanuel Josephan a red light and hit a motorcycle in the federal capital, killing Ateeq Baig and injuring another person
Pakistan expands crypto engagement with appearance at Mar-a-Lago finance forum
- Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal bin Saqib attends World Liberty Financial event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate
- Discussions focused on future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation, says Saqib’s office
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman and Minister of State Bilal bin Saqib joined global finance leaders at an event hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture linked to US President Donald Trump’s family, Saqib’s office said on Thursday.
The event was hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024 linked to Trump’s family. According to Saqib’s office, the gathering was held at Mar-a-Lago, the private estate and club owned by Trump in Florida.
Speakers and attendees at the event included David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, Adena Friedman, chairperson and CEO of Nasdaq as well as Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Saqib’s office said. The event was organized and hosted by Eric Trump and American businesspersons Zach Witkoff and Alex Witkoff.
“Discussions focused on the future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation and the evolving relationship between regulation and emerging financial technologies,” the statement said.
It said Saqib’s attendance at the event reflected Pakistan’s growing engagement with global discussions shaping the next phase of financial and technological transformation.
“As Pakistan moves toward modernizing its financial infrastructure and strengthening its position in the global digital economy, such high-level engagements signal increasing international recognition of the country’s regulatory direction and leadership,” the statement added.
Last month, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial to explore the use of a dollar-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts recently to regulate its digital asset sector and is exploring digital currency initiatives as part of broader measures to reduce cash usage.
