Authorities permitted US defence attaché Colonel Joseph, who was involved in a fatal road accident in Islamabad, to leave Pakistan on Monday after taking into confidence relatives of deceased motorcyclist Ateeq Baig, it emerged on Tuesday.
The kin of the deceased reportedly reached an ‘understanding’ with US representatives before the diplomat’s departure.
According to media reports, Baig’s father was informed before the diplomat left the country. It was, however, yet to confirm whether and financial compensation was involved in settlement.
Arsalan Khan, a cousin of the deceased, said that a settlement had indeed been reached. Arsalan, the elder brother of Baig’s cousin Raheel, who was injured in the traffic accident, also remained mum on the question of blood money.
Haji Mehrban, a local politician, had reportedly played a key role facilitating the talks. He had also led the protest after the killing of Baig. But he, too, had not uttered a word on financial compensation, if any, involved in the settlement.
Baig was killed in April after being hit by a US Embassy vehicle with Col Joseph behind the wheel. CCTV footage of the accident showed the US defence attaché jumping red lights before hitting the motorcycle. The diplomat was booked for unintentional murder and placed on a blacklist by the Interior Ministry after his kin moved the Islamabad High Court.
Published in Daily Times, May 16th 2018.
