Punjab Govt allows Consular Access
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Punjab Home Department has granted consular access to Pakistani-origin US citizen Khadija Shah, who was allegedly involved in an arson attack on Jinnah House on May 9.
The Punjab Home Department made the decision after instructions from the Ministry of Interior.
The US officials are ready to meet Khadija Shah today (Thursday) at Kot Lakhpat Jail. The US officials will meet her in the presence of prison as well as Special Branch officials.
Importantly, after receiving the US request for consular access to Khadija Shah, the Ministry of Interior issued a no-objection certificate (NOC). The Ministry also directed the additional chief secretary of the Punjab Home Department to give consular access to Shah.
Moreover, the Ministry of Interior informed the Punjab IG Prisons and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail about its decision.
US demands Consular Access to Khadija Shah
Earlier,
The United States demands from Pakistan to allow consular access to PTI’s Khadija Shah. She is the prime suspect in the attack on the corps commander’s house in Lahore.
Khadija Shah holds dual nationality. She is also an American citizen. The US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated this today.
He said, “Washington has been following the case of Khadija Shah and urges the foreign governments to allow and follow consular notifications for procedures when American citizens are detained.”
The PTI arsonists attacked the military installations on May 9 when Rangers arrested Imran Khan in Lahore on May 9 from the Islamabad High Court.
“I believe Ms Shah is a dual national, and so we continue to engage directly with the Government of Pakistan on this,” the State Department spokesperson added.
He said that his country is always ready to provide all appropriate assistance whenever a US citizen gets arrested overseas.
“And we expect Pakistani authorities to respect all free, all fair trial guarantees owed to these detainees,” he added.
