Pakistan's government is distancing itself from comments by a ruling party official who said the detained American accused of killing two Pakistanis has diplomatic immunity.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan People's Party spokeswoman Fauzia Wahab told reporters in the city of Karachi that Pakistan has always abided by international law which grants diplomatic immunity and that Raymond Davis has an official diplomatic visa.
Pakistani officials later said Wahab's remarks were her personal opinion and did not reflect the stance of the government. They said the case is now in court and would be decided by the court.
Davis is accused of killing two Pakistanis in Lahore last month during what he says was an attempted armed robbery. But Pakistani police have called the American a "cold-blooded murderer."
The United States says Davis should be protected by diplomatic immunity and has called for his immediate release.
The case has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan, with Washington postponing annual ministerial talks scheduled for later this month.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
Pakistan Says No Change on American Diplomat's Case
![Pakistani police escort arrested US diplomat Raymond Davis (C), to a court in Lahore (file photo - January 28, 2011)](https://gdb.voanews.com/ea95e4ae-c0cb-4682-9f09-14f82630ef35_w250_r1_s.jpg)