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