<p>The Pakistani government is facing severe financial challenges as it has been unable to pay salaries to its diplomatic staff stationed at select missions for the past three months due to a severe dollar liquidity crisis, according to a report by the Times of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As reported by The News International, press attaches working in diplomatic missions in the United States and Hong Kong, as well as press counsellors posted in Singapore, have not been compensated since June.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report further states that Pakistan's finance ministry has indicated that salaries cannot be disbursed even for the month of September, citing exhaustion of the country's foreign exchange reserves.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This crisis is particularly concerning for Pakistani officials stationed in cities where the cost of living is high, such as Washington, D.C. and Hong Kong, as they now might have to face another month without salaries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Top government sources quoted in The News International confirmed the prolonged salary delay, stating, “The press attaches working in Washington, D.C., and Hong Kong as well as press counsellor deputed in Singapore continue to live without salary from June.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is not the first time Pakistan has faced such challenges in paying its diplomatic staff. In the previous fiscal year (2022-23), the government confronted a similar issue, which was ultimately addressed with the approval of salaries through the supplementary grant by then Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for employees in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan’s economy has been struggling for several years, leading to considerable hardships for its population due to soaring inflation rates. The crisis has been further exacerbated by depleting foreign exchange reserves and skyrocketing energy prices.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite receiving approval for a long-awaited $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at helping Pakistan avoid default on its debt repayments, Islamabad is grappling with the challenge of meeting the conditions imposed by the lender, further complicating the nation's financial outlook.&nbsp;</p>

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The Pakistani government is facing severe financial challenges as it has been unable to pay salaries to its diplomatic staff stationed at select missions for the past three months due to a severe dollar liquidity crisis, according to a report by the Times of India.

The Pakistani government is facing severe financial challenges as it has been unable to pay salaries to its diplomatic staff stationed at select missions for the past three months due to a severe dollar liquidity crisis, according to a report by the Times of India. As reported by The News International, press attaches working in diplomatic missions in the United States and Hong Kong, as well as press counsellors posted in Singapore, have not been compensated since June. The report further states that Pakistan's finance ministry has indicated that salaries cannot be disbursed even for the month of September, citing exhaustion of the country's foreign exchange reserves. This crisis is particularly concerning for Pakistani officials stationed in cities where the cost of living is high, such as Washington, D.C. and Hong Kong, as they now might have to face another month without salaries. Top government sources quoted in The News International confirmed the prolonged salary delay, stating, “The press attaches working in Washington, D.C., and Hong Kong as well as press counsellor deputed in Singapore continue to live without salary from June.” This is not the first time Pakistan has faced such challenges in paying its diplomatic staff. In the previous fiscal year (2022-23), the government confronted a similar issue, which was ultimately addressed with the approval of salaries through the supplementary grant by then Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for employees in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet. Pakistan’s economy has been struggling for several years, leading to considerable hardships for its population due to soaring inflation rates. The crisis has been further exacerbated by depleting foreign exchange reserves and skyrocketing energy prices. Despite receiving approval for a long-awaited $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at helping Pakistan avoid default on its debt repayments, Islamabad is grappling with the challenge of meeting the conditions imposed by the lender, further complicating the nation's financial outlook. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistani diplomatic staff go unpaid for months amid dollar liquidity crunch 

<p>A Twitter spat between Pakistan’s human rights minister and her daughter had its echoes during the Moscow&nbsp;consultations on Afghanistan, when Pakistan's special envoy on Afghanistan and other officials were found discussing about the tiff, which was heard by scores of others as the diplomats forgot to switch off their mikes.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ROLF moment. Pakistani diplomats forget to turn off mike at Moscow format talks involving Taliban. Found discussing Pak Human rights minister Shireen Mazari &amp; her daughter's twitter spat. <a href="https://t.co/9dpIOx1zS6">pic.twitter.com/9dpIOx1zS6</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1450887208102076423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>“Shuru se inka style yehi hai, aggressive (This has been her style all along, aggressive),” Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Sadiq was purportedly heard saying in Urdu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The row between Pakistan’s human rights minister Shireen Mazar and her daughter Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, a lawyer by profession, has taken the Islamic nation by storm. The argument centred around whether the government’s alleged “use of magic” to run the state's affairs should be part of public discourse.<br />
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<strong>Watch</strong></p>

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<p>Imaan was reiterating an allegation that&nbsp;is being pushed forward by the government's critics that Prime Minister Imran Khan relies on witchcraft and divination to make key decisions regarding the affairs of the state.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-russia-calls-for-humanitarian-aid-as-it-hosts-taliban-422322">Afghanistan: Russia calls for humanitarian aid as it hosts Taliban</a></p>

<p>The jibe was perceived by many, including her mother, to be targeting the prime minister's spouse, who was a spiritual person before her marriage to Imran Khan.</p>

<p>“The country has been made a mockery of with (the use of) witchcraft — how can it be that we do not talk about those who practice it,” Imaan had said in her tweet.</p>

<p>In response, Shireen said, “I am ashamed you would resort to such low, personalised, unsubstantiated attacks — especially since as a lawyer you should know (that) without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am ashamed you would resort to such low personalised unsubstantiated attacks esp since as a lawyer u shd know without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation. When all substantive issue-based criticism fails this level of a base personal attack is plain shameful. <a href="https://t.co/drbLN5bq9w">https://t.co/drbLN5bq9w</a></p>
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShireenMazari1/status/1450724121801854977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>What followed was a flurry of tweets in reply to the exchange.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Twitter spat between Pakistan’s human rights minister and her daughter had its echoes during the Moscow consultations on Afghanistan, when Pakistan's special envoy on Afghanistan and other officials were found discussing about the tiff, which was heard by scores of others as the diplomats forgot to switch off their mikes.

A Twitter spat between Pakistan’s human rights minister and her daughter had its echoes during the Moscow consultations on Afghanistan, when Pakistan's special envoy on Afghanistan and other officials were found discussing about the tiff, which was heard by scores of others as the diplomats forgot to switch off their mikes. ROLF moment. Pakistani diplomats forget to turn off mike at Moscow format talks involving Taliban. Found discussing Pak Human rights minister Shireen Mazari & her daughter's twitter spat. pic.twitter.com/9dpIOx1zS6 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) October 20, 2021 × “Shuru se inka style yehi hai, aggressive (This has been her style all along, aggressive),” Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Sadiq was purportedly heard saying in Urdu. The row between Pakistan’s human rights minister Shireen Mazar and her daughter Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, a lawyer by profession, has taken the Islamic nation by storm. The argument centred around whether the government’s alleged “use of magic” to run the state's affairs should be part of public discourse. Watch Imaan was reiterating an allegation that is being pushed forward by the government's critics that Prime Minister Imran Khan relies on witchcraft and divination to make key decisions regarding the affairs of the state. Also read | Afghanistan: Russia calls for humanitarian aid as it hosts Taliban The jibe was perceived by many, including her mother, to be targeting the prime minister's spouse, who was a spiritual person before her marriage to Imran Khan. “The country has been made a mockery of with (the use of) witchcraft — how can it be that we do not talk about those who practice it,” Imaan had said in her tweet. In response, Shireen said, “I am ashamed you would resort to such low, personalised, unsubstantiated attacks — especially since as a lawyer you should know (that) without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation.” I am ashamed you would resort to such low personalised unsubstantiated attacks esp since as a lawyer u shd know without any proof hurling such accusations is defamation. When all substantive issue-based criticism fails this level of a base personal attack is plain shameful. https://t.co/drbLN5bq9w — Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 20, 2021 × What followed was a flurry of tweets in reply to the exchange. (With inputs from agencies)

Goof-up: Pak diplomats discussing minister’s Twitter spat forget to turn off mike during Moscow talks

<p>ndia has summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi to strongly protest against the Nagrota terror and Islamabad's involvement in cross border terrorism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pakistani CDA-charges de affairs was handed a protest note in which New Delhi conveyed its "strong concern" on the terror attack planned by Jaish e Mohammed in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorists-had-planned-attack-on-2611-anniversary-pm-modi-holds-review-meet-344309">Terrorists had planned attack on 26/11 anniversary: PM Modi holds review meet</a></strong></p>

<p>The protest note asked Pakistan to "stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the terrorism infrastructure", top sources told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was also told that India is "firm and resolute" in taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national security in the fight against terrorism.</p>

<p>Earlier this week, a major terror attack was thwarted with the killing of 4 Jaish terrorists. The terrorists were neutralised at a toll plaza on Jammu--Srinagar national highway in Nagrota area of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

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<p>Pakistan's involvement in the incident has emerged, especially in the supply of phones. The phones recovered from the slained terrorists have been manufactured by a Pakistani company.&nbsp;<br />
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On Thursday Indian Prime Minister held a review meeting attended by Home minister Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. The terrorists were planning a major attack ahead of the 26/11 attack anniversary.</p>


ndia has summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi to strongly protest against the Nagrota terror and Islamabad's involvement in cross border terrorism. The Pakistani CDA-charges de affairs was handed a protest note in which New Delhi conveyed its "strong concern" on the terror attack planned by Jaish e Mohammed in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

ndia has summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi to strongly protest against the Nagrota terror and Islamabad's involvement in cross border terrorism. The Pakistani CDA-charges de affairs was handed a protest note in which New Delhi conveyed its "strong concern" on the terror attack planned by Jaish e Mohammed in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Also read| Terrorists had planned attack on 26/11 anniversary: PM Modi holds review meet The protest note asked Pakistan to "stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the terrorism infrastructure", top sources told WION. He was also told that India is "firm and resolute" in taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national security in the fight against terrorism. Earlier this week, a major terror attack was thwarted with the killing of 4 Jaish terrorists. The terrorists were neutralised at a toll plaza on Jammu--Srinagar national highway in Nagrota area of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. × Pakistan's involvement in the incident has emerged, especially in the supply of phones. The phones recovered from the slained terrorists have been manufactured by a Pakistani company. On Thursday Indian Prime Minister held a review meeting attended by Home minister Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. The terrorists were planning a major attack ahead of the 26/11 attack anniversary.

Nagrota incident: India summons Pak's top diplomat; lodges 'strong concerns'

<p>The Afghan foreign ministry on Saturday summoned Pakistan's Chargé d'affaires in Kabul in the aftermath of April 30 and May 1, 2019 incident in which Pakistan forces launched an attack in Afghan territory killing four civilians.</p>

<p>The Afghan foreign ministry in a release, tweeted by the spokesperson Sibghatullah Ahmadi condemned Pakistani forces violating the "Afghan airspace and launching rockets."</p>

<p>The Afghan government asked Pakistan to act on terror, something which Kabul and New Delhi have been asking Islamabad to do for a long time.</p>

<p>The statement said, "Afghanistan once again encouraged Pakistan to honestly fight these groups without distinction".</p>

<p>The Pakistani government has also confirmed that a summoning happened. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pakistani forces started shelling at 9 pm local time on April 30 and according to Afghan media reports, targetted Sarkot, Pakha Mela and Afghan Dubai villages in Spera district in Khost Province that borders Pakistan's restive North Waziristan.</p>

<p>Pakistan had summoned Afghan's Charge d' Affaires on May 1 to protest about the incident. While Islamabad maintains, "terrorist" from the Afghan territory launched an attack on its forces killing three&nbsp;Pakistani soldiers, Kabul told Pakistan to take immediate action against the elements on its territory and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.</p>

<p>This is not for the first time a Pakistani diplomat has been summed this year. Afghanistan summoned Pak diplomats many times in the last few months after Pakistani prime minister made comments about the Afghan peace process which Kabul saw as interference.</p>

<p>In March, Speaking at a public gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's&nbsp;Bajaur, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said, "A good government will soon be established in Afghanistan".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afghanistan has also complained to the United Nations security council (UNSC) against Islamabad due to its engagement with the Taliban and attempts to subvert the Afghan peace process.</p>


The Afghan foreign ministry on Saturday summoned Pakistan's Chargé d'affaires in Kabul in the aftermath of April 30 and May 1, 2019 incident in which Pakistan forces launched an attack in Afghan territory killing four civilians.

The Afghan foreign ministry on Saturday summoned Pakistan's Chargé d'affaires in Kabul in the aftermath of April 30 and May 1, 2019 incident in which Pakistan forces launched an attack in Afghan territory killing four civilians. The Afghan foreign ministry in a release, tweeted by the spokesperson Sibghatullah Ahmadi condemned Pakistani forces violating the "Afghan airspace and launching rockets." The Afghan government asked Pakistan to act on terror, something which Kabul and New Delhi have been asking Islamabad to do for a long time. The statement said, "Afghanistan once again encouraged Pakistan to honestly fight these groups without distinction". The Pakistani government has also confirmed that a summoning happened. The Pakistani forces started shelling at 9 pm local time on April 30 and according to Afghan media reports, targetted Sarkot, Pakha Mela and Afghan Dubai villages in Spera district in Khost Province that borders Pakistan's restive North Waziristan. Pakistan had summoned Afghan's Charge d' Affaires on May 1 to protest about the incident. While Islamabad maintains, "terrorist" from the Afghan territory launched an attack on its forces killing three Pakistani soldiers, Kabul told Pakistan to take immediate action against the elements on its territory and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. This is not for the first time a Pakistani diplomat has been summed this year. Afghanistan summoned Pak diplomats many times in the last few months after Pakistani prime minister made comments about the Afghan peace process which Kabul saw as interference. In March, Speaking at a public gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bajaur, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said, "A good government will soon be established in Afghanistan". Afghanistan has also complained to the United Nations security council (UNSC) against Islamabad due to its engagement with the Taliban and attempts to subvert the Afghan peace process.

Afghanistan summons Pakistan diplomat over border situation 

<p>Afghanistan Saturday summoned a Pakistan diplomat official from the Pakistani embassy in Kabul over Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remark on new government in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The Afghan foreign ministery told the Pakistan diplomat that Imran Khan's remarks amounted to interfering in the internal affairs of the country and demanded an explanation to it.</p>

<p>The spokesperson of Afghanistan's foreign ministry Sibghatullah Ahmadi said, "Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Pakistan Counselor for clarification on the recent remarks by Imran Khan regarding new government in the near future. The government of Afghanistan expressed its grave objection and deemed such remarks a flagrant interference in its intern affairs".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MFA Summons PK Embassy's Counselor<br />
MFA asked PK Counselor 4 clarification on the recent rmks by PM Imran Khan regarding establishment of a new govt in near future. Gov I.R. AF expressed its grave objection on PK’s Gov&amp;deemed such rmrks a flagrant interference in its intern afrs. <a href="https://t.co/txdVIFZNjO">pic.twitter.com/txdVIFZNjO</a></p>
— Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sibghat_Ah/status/1106908027465187329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Speaking at a public gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's&nbsp;Bajaur, Pakistani Prime Minister said, "A good government will soon be established in Afghanistan".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistani diplomatic sources confirmed the development and told WION that a Pakistani diplomat, precisely the third in command at the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, holding the position of the first secretary namely Mr Adeel Khan was called for a verbal explanation over Pak PM Imran Khan’s comment by the Afghan foreign ministry on Saturday.</p>

<p>The sources added that Pakistan, in their response to the Afghan foreign ministry, stated that Imran Khan's remarks are "self-explanatory. His speech was in good faith, he talked about enduring regional peace and stability.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Imran Khan's comments come&nbsp;in the backdrop of Islamabad's close ties with the Taliban and Pakistan's attempts to take control of the Afghan peace process.</p>

<p>This is for the second time a Pakistan diplomat has been summoned by Afghanistan in last one month. A few weeks ago Afghanistan summoned Zahid Nasrullah, the Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan after he said Afghan peace talks will be impacted if New Delhi retaliates after the Pulwama terror attack.</p>


Afghanistan Saturday summoned a Pakistan diplomat official from the Pakistani embassy in Kabul over Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remark on new government in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Saturday summoned a Pakistan diplomat official from the Pakistani embassy in Kabul over Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remark on new government in Afghanistan. The Afghan foreign ministery told the Pakistan diplomat that Imran Khan's remarks amounted to interfering in the internal affairs of the country and demanded an explanation to it. The spokesperson of Afghanistan's foreign ministry Sibghatullah Ahmadi said, "Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Pakistan Counselor for clarification on the recent remarks by Imran Khan regarding new government in the near future. The government of Afghanistan expressed its grave objection and deemed such remarks a flagrant interference in its intern affairs". MFA Summons PK Embassy's Counselor MFA asked PK Counselor 4 clarification on the recent rmks by PM Imran Khan regarding establishment of a new govt in near future. Gov I.R. AF expressed its grave objection on PK’s Gov&deemed such rmrks a flagrant interference in its intern afrs. pic.twitter.com/txdVIFZNjO — Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) March 16, 2019 × Speaking at a public gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bajaur, Pakistani Prime Minister said, "A good government will soon be established in Afghanistan". Meanwhile, Pakistani diplomatic sources confirmed the development and told WION that a Pakistani diplomat, precisely the third in command at the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, holding the position of the first secretary namely Mr Adeel Khan was called for a verbal explanation over Pak PM Imran Khan’s comment by the Afghan foreign ministry on Saturday. The sources added that Pakistan, in their response to the Afghan foreign ministry, stated that Imran Khan's remarks are "self-explanatory. His speech was in good faith, he talked about enduring regional peace and stability.” Imran Khan's comments come in the backdrop of Islamabad's close ties with the Taliban and Pakistan's attempts to take control of the Afghan peace process. This is for the second time a Pakistan diplomat has been summoned by Afghanistan in last one month. A few weeks ago Afghanistan summoned Zahid Nasrullah, the Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan after he said Afghan peace talks will be impacted if New Delhi retaliates after the Pulwama terror attack.

Afghanistan summons Pakistan diplomat after Imran Khan's 'good government in Afghanistan soon' remark  

<p>Noted senior Pakistani journalist Nusrat Javed has claimed that the United States (US) has imposed drastic sanctions on the Pakistani diplomats posted in Washington DC, saying, seeking permission to cross the radius of 25 kilometres will be mandatory for them from May 1.</p>

<p>"The US has made it mandatory for the Pakistani diplomats posted in Washington DC to seek permission to step outside the radius of 25 kilometres since May 1," said Nusrat on a TV show titled 'Bol Bol Pakistan.'</p>

<p>With this move, the diplomatic relations between the US and Pakistan, are expected to sour further, which are already going through a rough patch following an American envoy allegedly running down three people in Islamabad earlier this month.</p>

<p>"The restrictions are the ones which the US usually imposes on the countries it despises. For instance, the Russian diplomats have been expelled out of the country (over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain). However, such restrictions have not been slapped on Russia," the senior journalist noted.</p>

<p>Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall, Defence and Air attache at the US Embassy in Pakistan, on Saturday, ran down three persons in Daman-e-Koh, north of Islamabad, prompting Pakistan to summon the US Ambassador David Hale to lodge a formal protest.</p>

<p>However, unlike American intelligence operative Raymond Davis, who, in 2011, was arrested in Lahore on charges of killing two Pakistani citizens, stirring up a massive diplomatic rift with Islamabad, Hall is not in police custody and is back on the embassy compound.</p>

<p>Earlier, the US State Department had conveyed to the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC that if it does not ease the travel of the US diplomats, reciprocal restrictions will be imposed on the Pakistan envoys in the US from May 1, including restrictions on travel beyond 25 kilometres of the city of posting.&nbsp</p>


The diplomatic relations between the US and Pakistan are already going through a rough patch

Noted senior Pakistani journalist Nusrat Javed has claimed that the United States (US) has imposed drastic sanctions on the Pakistani diplomats posted in Washington DC, saying, seeking permission to cross the radius of 25 kilometres will be mandatory for them from May 1. "The US has made it mandatory for the Pakistani diplomats posted in Washington DC to seek permission to step outside the radius of 25 kilometres since May 1," said Nusrat on a TV show titled 'Bol Bol Pakistan.' With this move, the diplomatic relations between the US and Pakistan, are expected to sour further, which are already going through a rough patch following an American envoy allegedly running down three people in Islamabad earlier this month. "The restrictions are the ones which the US usually imposes on the countries it despises. For instance, the Russian diplomats have been expelled out of the country (over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain). However, such restrictions have not been slapped on Russia," the senior journalist noted. Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall, Defence and Air attache at the US Embassy in Pakistan, on Saturday, ran down three persons in Daman-e-Koh, north of Islamabad, prompting Pakistan to summon the US Ambassador David Hale to lodge a formal protest. However, unlike American intelligence operative Raymond Davis, who, in 2011, was arrested in Lahore on charges of killing two Pakistani citizens, stirring up a massive diplomatic rift with Islamabad, Hall is not in police custody and is back on the embassy compound. Earlier, the US State Department had conveyed to the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC that if it does not ease the travel of the US diplomats, reciprocal restrictions will be imposed on the Pakistan envoys in the US from May 1, including restrictions on travel beyond 25 kilometres of the city of posting.

US imposed drastic restrictions on Pak diplomats in Washington DC: Pakistani journalist