ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: The spokeswoman for the Pakistan People’s Party resigned on Saturday days after backing the claims of diplomatic immunity by a US gunman who killed two men in Lahore last month.

Pakistan’s ties with the United States have been strained since police arrested Raymond Davis, who confessed to killing the men in self-defence on Jan 27.

On Monday Fauzia Wahab said diplomats have immunity and that Mr Davis had an official visa, in comments swiftly dismissed as personal views by a presidential spokesman.

“I have resigned because I gave that statement in my personal capacity,” Ms Wahab said.

“I do not want to appear before Lahore High Court as an office-bearer of the Pakistan People’s Party. To uphold the dignity and respect of my party I have resigned from my post,” she added.

Ms Wahab had said that Mr Davis had an official business visa “so why argue and why are we risking our overall good reputation before the rest of the world?”

“We have always abided by international laws and conventions,” she had said. —AFP