A Pakistani court has declined to rule on whether a U.S. contractor held on murder charges has diplomatic immunity, saying the court hearing the murder case should decide.
The American, Raymond Davis, shot dead two Pakistanis in the eastern city of Lahore on January 28.
He says he acted in self-defense, and U.S. officials say he has diplomatic immunity and should be released and sent back to the United States.
Pakistan's government has said it is for the courts to decide.
The case has shaken relations between the United States and Pakistan, a vital U.S. ally in the war against terror.
The March 14 ruling by Lahore's High Court is likely to prolong the crisis in relations, as the criminal court trying Davis on double murder charges has already said that the trial should proceed.
compiled from agency reports
The American, Raymond Davis, shot dead two Pakistanis in the eastern city of Lahore on January 28.
He says he acted in self-defense, and U.S. officials say he has diplomatic immunity and should be released and sent back to the United States.
Pakistan's government has said it is for the courts to decide.
The case has shaken relations between the United States and Pakistan, a vital U.S. ally in the war against terror.
The March 14 ruling by Lahore's High Court is likely to prolong the crisis in relations, as the criminal court trying Davis on double murder charges has already said that the trial should proceed.
compiled from agency reports
