E-Paper | October 09, 2026

Court dismisses case against FBI agent Joel Cox

Dawn.com Published
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KARACHI: The case against FBI agent, Joel Cox, who was arrested from Karachi's Jinnah International Airport for allegedly carrying ammunition and three knives onto an airplane, was formally dismissed on Monday after a request by the city's police was submitted before a judge in a Karachi court, DawnNews reported.

Earlier during the day, police had submitted its final chargesheet in the case according to which Cox was issued a written authority letter by the US consulate to carry a weapon for his personal protection.

The authority letter was verified by the Federal Interior Ministry following which police requested the court to drop the case.

Observing that all circumstances were in favour of Joel Cox, the court decide to dismiss the case against the FBI agent.

The US citizen was arrested on May 5, at the Jinnah International Airport after security personnel found a bullet-filled magazine and a knife in his possession.

The detained person was later revealed as an agent of the US FBI.

A court in the provincial capital city had granted bail to the agent on May 8, and following the Foreign Office's disclosure that the detained person did not enjoy diplomatic immunity, had asked police to charge Joel Cox.

Pakistan
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Sid
May 19, 2014 03:23pm
this guy must be damn happy to be in Pakistan under the circumstances... had it been a Pakistani in the US like him... JUST IMAGINE!! clapping for our govt our justice system...
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Anjum
May 19, 2014 03:42pm
Can I get also a written authority letter and board a plane carying weapons and knives in USA?
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Mansoor
May 19, 2014 03:46pm
Let's see what the US court would have said if the man in question was an ISI agent entering an airport and carrying a gun and bullets.
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Karachitte
May 19, 2014 04:03pm
I am hopeful that whenever I will land in Newyork, Pakistan High Commission would issue me a authority letter which, enable me to carry gun while my stay in USA on the pretext of Personal Safety! By producing such letter I can carry guns and ammo in US domestic flight and hope that if in trouble Secretary of State will represent me in US Court.
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Anees
May 19, 2014 04:09pm
Beghairati ki intihaa se bhi aagay..
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sabeeh omer
May 19, 2014 04:20pm
What a shame! The Pakistani Government does not have the guts to convict a "white skin." Would the United States have treated an FBI or an ISI agent from Pakistan in the same way had they been caught carrying arms in their luggage on a flight from New York to Washington? Shame on our Government, Shame on our judicial system and Shame on our security agencies. Do not lament when the US pounds your bunkers next time as it did in the Salala outpost.
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salman malik
May 19, 2014 04:31pm
Even in his own country (US) , he had to declare & checked for any prohibited item in his luggage with proper documentation. It would be a good example if the court had fined him at least $1000 for neglect/undeclared item. Its a shame that our justice system have no courage to enforce law for American citizen.
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khanm
May 19, 2014 04:36pm
@Mansoor right away to Gitmo...
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Youth
May 19, 2014 04:36pm
@Sid Three cheers for your comment. The subsequent government in Pakistan are responsible for tarnishing the image of Pakistan & Pakistanis all over the world. This is our destiny & it will remain like that.
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Tanveer
May 19, 2014 04:40pm
Interior ministry should not give any news about captured US agents involved in illegal activities in Pakistan. If it does so then take proper action instead of letting our country down.
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Malikpur Janderbari Abbottabad
May 19, 2014 04:44pm
Our courts are busy in cricket matters....... and so on!
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Youth
May 19, 2014 04:51pm
This is only is possible in a lawless & sold out country like Pakistan, I really feel ashamed today.
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Rashid Sultan
May 19, 2014 05:03pm
The power that the US wields in Pakistani politics! A case clearly of the nation that pays the Pakistan piper calls the tune.
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Youth
May 19, 2014 05:06pm
You can buy anything you like with your money in Pakistan except for the following because these are already sold out. Conscious, Self esteem, Loyalty with Pakistan & the type.
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BULLS EYE
May 19, 2014 05:07pm
The judgement leaves me spell bound, the Police's stance was the base, what going on Pakistan?
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Ahmed
May 19, 2014 05:22pm
bhia wah maza agaya, government ho to aisi ho aur insaaf ho to aisa hi. aur phr hum log kehte hain why world treating us as slaves and road scavengers.
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Saqib Mukki
May 19, 2014 05:22pm
This is the right thing to do. The agent did not carry the arms into the cabin. So there is no comparison of would the US have treated Pakistanis in same way. The Pakistani would never have been charged in the first place! In the USA, ANYONE can check in luggage with knives, bullets and UNLOADED guns. I have checked in ornate Ottoman knives in my luggage to the US that I bought from Istanbul grand bazzar on my stop over there from Karachi. I never thought twice about it. And people do it everyday. Of course if you try to check in a bomb or something that can put a plane in danger, you will get arrested. You are not allowed to take these physically into the cabin of course. Any airport metal detector will beep at the weapons and the security tell the person to either go check it in, or abandon them at the counter. USA is a highly weaponized country, with citizens have right to carry arms in public places. So this happens routinely every day in that country.
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A concerned Pakistani
May 19, 2014 05:32pm
If the US govt authorizes someone carrying weapon in a foreign country then US law overrides that country's own law, right?
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iqbal
May 19, 2014 05:41pm
This person may be employed by fbi, but is assigned in Pakistan to do what. ? I would say nothing good for Pakistan.
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Agha Ata
May 19, 2014 05:44pm
What a fair trial, and what a quick decision. I am sure that now courts would give their verdict the same way in all Pakistani cases as well.
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Ezio Auditore
May 19, 2014 05:54pm
Law only for weak in the land of pure!!!
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Masoud
May 19, 2014 06:10pm
"Earlier during the day, police had submitted its final charge sheet in the case according to which Cox was issued a written authority letter by the US consulate to carry a weapon for his personal protection" "The authority letter was verified by the Federal Interior Ministry following which police requested the court to drop the case" Do we have american constitution working in Pakistan. What about our constitution, rules & regulations. A parallel govt in the running. Is it not equivalent to re-designing the national flag with more stars.
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Youth
May 19, 2014 06:17pm
US is investing heavily in hate bank of the heart of peoples in Pakistan
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Shah
May 19, 2014 06:20pm
Lots of frustrated commentators who were refused US visa.
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Afaq
May 19, 2014 06:25pm
If a Pakistani held like this in US he or she will be label as terrorist trying to hijack a plan and lock in for 80 years. Shame on us.
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Karachi Guy
May 19, 2014 06:25pm
Imagine this person to be a normal Pakistani.... The news would have been: "The police presented their final charge sheet, according to which the evidence got more strong." Following which the case was adjourned till next month. And next month would have never came..... The case would have been solved in no less than 4years.
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Adnan
May 19, 2014 06:27pm
New Slogan For Pakistan - Unmatched Hospitality For Powerful... You Can Get Away With Murders .... Visit & Exploit Pakistan !!!!
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Sunil
May 19, 2014 06:46pm
If the FBI was an Indian origin, the situation would be different. And if a Pakistani ISI was caught in United States, he would have definitely gone to jail.
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rational voice
May 19, 2014 06:47pm
Reality: Pakistan is ment to be used by USA and once their utility is finished they will be disposed off, so keep expecting arms and alms from USA. Also go one step ahead, allow drones and don't prosecute any American involved in crime.
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Syed Saulat Shere
May 19, 2014 06:49pm
@Ahmed we are slaves at heart.
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Hassan Shad
May 19, 2014 07:37pm
A country that has sold its heart and soul to its foreign masters cannot expect to show anger now. First learn to be important in this world for the right things and then do things becoming of civilized and powerful nations such as bringing violaters to justice!
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Amir
May 19, 2014 07:58pm
#PakLandReforms Solutions for all the Pakistan
Recommend 0
IKE
May 19, 2014 08:11pm
Independent Judiciary. Yap
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Vince V James
May 19, 2014 09:17pm
Your rulers, your judges and your police are a shameless bunch. Because of them, yours is a cursed country. I cannot imagine any other country being so subservient to the Americans. Where is your National Pride. Israelis get 3 times as much money each year without fighting any wars for America.
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M. Siddique
May 19, 2014 09:34pm
What is wrong with the judiciary? How do they accept an excuse like this. How an embassy of a foreign country can issue an authorization letter to carry guns into an airplane. Next time they will issue a murder order and judiciary will take it as a valid license. The judge must be a PCO judge. These clowns are making Pakistan a laughing stock.
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Ken
May 19, 2014 09:41pm
The ignorance of the comments about this are breathtaking. A Pakistani security official invited to the US by the government could well be granted permission to carry a loaded firearm on an aircraft, but it would be a constant hassle, it would be somewhat easier to carry in luggage. Anyone can carry a knife in checked luggage in the US. Mr. Cox did not have a weapon, contrary to what most comment say or imply, only ammunition. I have flown in the US with sheath and pocket knives, pistols, rifles, and ammunition in checked baggage. The firearms are a real hassle though.
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MEDUSA
May 19, 2014 09:51pm
Did the authorities check and verify if this FBI agent, Joel Cox has dual Israeli/USA citizenship? If not, this was the first thing they should have done, since many such Americans who travel to Pakistan do.
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Harmony
May 19, 2014 10:32pm
@Ken - Well said. People are creating a storm out of a tea cup for nothing and typically getting excited for no reason.
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Aker
May 19, 2014 10:34pm
All commentators here wouldn't have any problem or complaints against US if they get US visa.
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Nasr
May 19, 2014 10:55pm
Of course that should have been the predictable obvious course of this case.
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Mohammed A. Sukhera (USA)
May 19, 2014 10:56pm
I am surprised how inept police officers are at the airport. If the guy is an FBI agent invited to the country for investigation of corruption i, has authority to carry a weapon by US consulate and it has been verified/approved by the Interior Ministry, then why arrest him in the first place. This whole drama was nothing and over nothing.
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Husain Jan
May 19, 2014 10:56pm
@Agha Ata Wish our courts give such expeditious decisions in various cases involving our own citizens instead of putting off hearing for weeks even months to let the cases linger on for years and years on.
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anony
May 19, 2014 11:32pm
As expected. Shame on the courts.
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System
May 19, 2014 11:39pm
Many are comparing this to US laws. But what does Pakistan law states in this regard? If Pakistan allows carrying such items in checked luggage, he is fine, if not he is guilty. Also if he is in a diplomatic passport, then the primary country's laws can be considered, if not, he has to follow the law of the land.
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brmurr
May 19, 2014 11:41pm
@Anjum Sure, if you were invited to help assist in law enforcement matters under a similar set of circumstances.
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brmurr
May 19, 2014 11:44pm
@Mansoor You are making a bad argument and I think you know it. This man was in Pakistan to help Pakistan. Do you really think he'd be there on vacation?
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Tahir
May 20, 2014 12:07am
@Shah Just shows your mentality. By the way, what was he doing in Pakistan ? Shame on our judiciary ad well as the executive.
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Daaish
May 20, 2014 12:10am
Our Government should drown in SHAME. What a shame !!!
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Fz
May 20, 2014 12:54am
Stop sitting on your computers and go protest if you feel so affected by this. Your internet opinions will change nothing.
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Youth
May 20, 2014 01:00am
@Vince V James Perhaps Israeli politicians & leaders are not so corrupt & power hungry as we have in Pakistan. One thing is clear the mood of the general public is changing fast & developing into a category 10 hurricane
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Tameez Khan
May 20, 2014 02:00am
The guy was in Pakistan for the TRAINING of Police. He was not there for any "conspiracy". He had bullets in the luggage and not with him while he was on-board. So what was such a big deal? Court did absolutely right, he perhaps did a bit of wrong, but to be honest, it was not a huge fault of him, and therefore he should have been acquitted of the alleged crime long time a go. And for those who think that USA would have done a lot worse had it been a Pakistani in USA, than I say, you do not have to COPY America, just try to be good to everyone.
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Sonny Turri
May 20, 2014 02:05am
Hypocrites. Do we even have a justice system?
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Ja'fur
May 20, 2014 02:55am
What else can one expect from an interior minister whose wife and children are USA citizens (dawn.com/news/658727/chaudhry-nisar-admits-his-wife-children-are-us-citizens). What an obvious conflict of interest. It is time ex-cj Iftekhar Chaudhry stepped into the political arena.
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Junaid
May 20, 2014 03:25am
Forget US. If he had done this in India, he would have a tough time even with extradition treaties. Remember how we removed barriers and security at us embassy for touching our diplomat. Stand up to bullies else they will walk over you.
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Ather
May 20, 2014 05:22am
@Saqib Mukki Does Pakistan allow people carry weapons? Please do not laugh at my question.
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Abbas kd
May 20, 2014 06:13am
Woo woo woo ... wait a minute, did he not say that he "forgot" he had those weapons in his bag when ASF arrested him at the airport, & now out of blue he has "papers" allowing him to carry all those weapons .... Did he forget that he had papers that allowed him to carry weapons when he was being arrested. I hope Pakistani Chief Justice the mockery of justice in Pakistan right under his nose.
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Jawwad Saeed
May 20, 2014 07:13am
@Ken - Laws in Pakistan to carry arms and ammunition are different, stingy to say the least. One should not always see things from one's own prism. Issue here is this guy should not have been arrested or prosecuted in first place. There are sections of society always keen on settling score with US because that is all pretty much they can do and in process put their government to face music every now and then. Example being the Raymond Davis episode. What I am saying is this section of society has somewhat become addicted to spitting up in the sky.
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Sami china
May 20, 2014 07:55am
Very sad... What's with the judicial activism or is it a controlled activism which always harms the poor and low profile culprits .....
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Rizwan
May 20, 2014 11:21am
jiski lathi uski bhens.
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abdullah yusuf warraich
May 20, 2014 12:02pm
History repeats itself dear Remond Davis . Even if the Embassy had not issued a permission to hold a weapon,thre were many to pardon him for an honourable acquittal.Three cheers for the system.
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Sajjad Khan
May 20, 2014 02:43pm
Very good news for all of mankind
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Muhammad
May 20, 2014 03:19pm
Who the is US consulate to issues weapon permits on Pakistani Soil!!!!! and bravo to the whipped judicial system and our impotent leader, Bravooooooo!!!
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Nadeem
May 21, 2014 10:39am
Shameful acquittal. I wonder what would have been the fate of an ISI agent found in possession of the exact same items at a US airport?
Recommend 0
Marcos
May 21, 2014 07:56pm
The only way Pakistani's can expect to be treated equally is by treating people of other countries with reciprocity. But then who cares about reciprocity when all the Pakistani leadership (including military) wants is dollars!.
Recommend 0

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