Web Desk
The Punjab Home Department has granted consular access to Khadija Shah, a Pakistani-origin US citizen who was allegedly involved in the arson attack on Jinnah House on May 9, according to a report by The News on Thursday.
Sources revealed that the Punjab Home Department made this decision following instructions from the Ministry of Interior. The US officials are scheduled to meet Shah at 11 pm today (Thursday) at Kot Lakhpat Jail in the presence of prison and Special Branch officials.
Upon receiving the request for consular access from US officials, the Ministry of Interior issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) and directed the additional chief secretary of the Punjab Home Department to facilitate consular access to Shah.
The Ministry of Interior has also informed the Punjab Inspector General (IG) Prisons and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail about these directives. During a weekly press briefing, US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that Washington was actively pursuing Shah’s case and had requested the Pakistani government to grant consular access to her.
As she holds dual citizenship, the US government is committed to assisting its citizens wherever they may be arrested, added the US State Department spokesperson. Patel further emphasized the expectation that Pakistani authorities would ensure the detainees are provided with all the rights and guarantees of a free and fair trial.
The attack on the military installation occurred on May 9 when supporters of PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) stormed and set it ablaze following the arrest of the party chairman in a £190 million settlement case. Shah has claimed to be a prominent supporter of PTI.
