“I stand with the people of Pakistan on the issue of American citizen Raymond Davis,” Gilani told reporters. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has ruled out any 'back-door solution' to the case of an American official for whom Washington is seeking diplomatic immunity from trial in Pakistan for shooting to death two youths on a Lahore street.

“I stand with the people of Pakistan on the issue of American citizen Raymond Davis,” he told reporters after addressing a Seerat conference here on Monday.

“No back-door solution will be solicited as Pakistan has expressed differences on the matter with the United States on the basis of principles,” he said in reference to his government's stand that the issue of immunity would be decided by the court dealing with the matter.

When asked if his government was heading for a standoff with the Supreme Court by refusing to remove rehired retired officials, he said the issue was sub-judice.

He, however, reiterated his position that “all (state) institutions need to work within their ambit as laid down in the Constitution”. — Ahmad Hassan

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...