Pak may recall its beleagured UN diplomat

Pakistan may recall Munir Akram, its permanent representative at the United Nations, in view of a US move to withdraw his diplomatic immunity following allegations of assault levelled by a woman who claimed to be his friend, officials were quoted as saying on Friday in Islamabad.

 

It was likely that Akram would be recalled due to the allegations and the subsequent action proposed by the New

York police and a decision in this regard was expected soon, the officials told local daily Dawn.

 

Reports from New York said that the US government has given time to Pakistan till Friday to decide about its response.

 

"Even if it was largely a weak case, Pakistan government will not let an individual, no matter how competent, hamper

Pakistan's presence at the United Nations," the daily quoted a

senior Pakistani government official as saying.

 

"This is likely to be, even if tragic, an open-and-shut case," the official said.

 

The foreign ministry wants to prevent this "simple and unfortunate" case from acquiring propaganda proportions in an

already difficult, if not hostile, diplomatic milieu, the daily said.

 

The New York police moved against the high-profile diplomat, who took charge of Pakistan's seat in the UN Security Council this month, after a woman, claiming to be Akram's friend, telephoned police emergency room complainng she was being assaulted by him.