Detained US embassy official at Islamabad airport released

E-Paper | May 22, 2026

ISLAMABAD: An employee of the US embassy, who had been detained at the Benazir International Airport in the federal capital late on Thursday for carrying 9mm loaded pistols, was released today, DawnNews reported.

According to airport sources, William John who is serving as a trainee at the US embassy in Islamabad was scheduled to fly to the United States via Abu Dhabi.

He had been detained after ASF personnel recovered 9mm pistols with magazines and 15 bullets during baggage checking.

Later, ASF personnel had handed the man to police for investigation. A case had been registered against him.

Two convicted UK nationals deported

— With additional reporting by Haseeb Bhatti

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

FO says PM Shehbaz to visit China from May 23-26

IHC bans killing of stray dogs, orders authorities to implement humane methods of population control

UAE deportations issue referred to Senate panel

saleem

Jul 18, 2014 11:31am

great news , so what next , will soon be released , not a criminal

Recommend 0

ali

Jul 18, 2014 11:33am

Why catch, when you will only let him go without charge for breaking the law? What is this 'trainee' exactly learning then?

Recommend 0

Tamza

Jul 18, 2014 11:37am

Above the law?

Recommend 0

Sunny Boye

Jul 18, 2014 11:38am

Does these guys have any respect to local laws...It's outrageous and happened so many times...

Recommend 0

waqar jan

Jul 18, 2014 11:44am

And the next day he was released with full military honour and personal apologies from PM and COS

Recommend 0

Sonny Afridi

Jul 18, 2014 11:55am

Another smart American "diplomat" gets owned. Good work for vigilance ASF.

Recommend 0

Nauman

Jul 18, 2014 12:18pm

No problem sir, we will release you as you are an american and have license to kill anybody.

Recommend 0

Nouman

Jul 18, 2014 12:20pm

Nothing surprising!

Recommend 0

Khuwaja

Jul 18, 2014 12:24pm

Untouchables perhaps James Bond 007 and reminds me Raymond Davis.

Recommend 0

Shah, Canada

Jul 18, 2014 12:28pm

Test for Nawaz Govt. Which they will surely fail....

Recommend 0

Saj king khan

Jul 18, 2014 12:36pm

Raymond Davis ! Anyone !

Recommend 0

ghuman

Jul 18, 2014 01:05pm

@Nauman not any one.any pakistani

Recommend 0

Harmony

Jul 18, 2014 01:19pm

As this has been established here in similar news in the past, in Us, Americans are allowed guns in checked luggage. So, lets not get carried away.

Recommend 0

Haider Rehman

Jul 18, 2014 02:03pm

Govt where's your shame? Only thinking of pleasing western masters?

Recommend 0

Taimoor Khan

Jul 18, 2014 02:13pm

This is becoming a joke. First Raymond Davis, then another so called "diplomat" nabbed at Karachi airport few months ago and now this. Why our government and security institutions are so relaxed about this? Unless and until these "diplomats" are not made a horrible example , this security breaches of Pakistan will keep on happening. There has to be a strong deterrence.

Recommend 0

Israr Khan Ismailzai

Jul 18, 2014 02:43pm

As expected.

Recommend 0

Qasur wala

Jul 18, 2014 02:47pm

@Harmony ..allowed guns in checked baggage. in US.. ...NOT TRUE...NOPE..NADA ! You must get prior special permission. By notifying TSA that you want to carry guns in your luggage. [As going on a hunting trip etc.] They check your background and then decide what to do with your request. Under no circumstances, can you carry ammunition in your checked luggage. If found out, you will be thrown in a dungeon, and the key will be dispersed away in the ocean.

Recommend 0

Amir Bangash

Jul 18, 2014 02:56pm

1st CIA operative, than FBI Agent and this one is 3rd PANGA with US officials. I hope you learn from the history.

Recommend 0

Abdul Malik

Jul 18, 2014 03:27pm

@saleem Obviously, what do you expect. Our power hungry and corrupt politicians need the dollars from America.

Recommend 0

Amir Bangash

Jul 18, 2014 03:29pm

The incidents of detention of US Officials and subsequent releases with out punishments(with the legal cover up) has badly tarnished the image of Pakistan and her ability to take on the officials of powerful country even if they break the law. The best way is that on occurrence of such violations their embassy may be contacted on phone and asked for their blessings for any legal action or release him quietly if they they don,t agree so that the country is not made a laughing stuff.

Recommend 0

Abdul Malik

Jul 18, 2014 03:30pm

Can you imagine being caught with even a toy pistol, let alone a real one, at any of the American airports and then to top it all, you are a Pakistani ! the very thought is dreadful. They will put you behind bars for God knows how long. And in Pakistan, the guy goes scot free.

Recommend 0

mohammadnoonnanna

Jul 18, 2014 03:36pm

They do so for fun to be in the news and later seeing HEADS DOWN from PM/GoP. Had Raymond Davis been made and example, none would have dared to carry arms. It is balatant chigging .

Recommend 0

Sana

Jul 18, 2014 04:03pm

Beggars cannot be choosers! Masters have all the rights to do anything they want in the land of pure incompetence

Recommend 0

Iqbal bhai

Jul 18, 2014 04:20pm

William John? Does not look like any real name.... Trainee? what organization sends "trainees" on foreign deputations?

Recommend 0

rahul

Jul 18, 2014 04:55pm

good for Pakistan

Recommend 0

Mohammad Iqbal

Jul 18, 2014 05:00pm

His release was understood. We saw and will see many Raymond davis in future. How can a servant arrest his master

Recommend 0

Eddied

Jul 18, 2014 05:08pm

If I were an American traveling in Pakistan I would want to have a gun too...

Recommend 0

Sajjad

Jul 18, 2014 05:08pm

Who are they kidding with?

Recommend 0

Just Someone

Jul 18, 2014 05:29pm

If I remember correctly, there was another such incident a couple of months ago as well.

Recommend 0

goraia

Jul 18, 2014 06:05pm

Beside the main news about the guy. I wonder why our country's major airport should bear the name of BB. Can someone tell me what good she did for Pakistan? What was wrong calling it Islamabad Intentional airport?

Recommend 0

suresh kumar

Jul 18, 2014 07:48pm

Pakistanis badly need economic independence from Elites in Pakistan so they do not have to depend on American Aid. Please send honest people in the parliament.

Recommend 0

Umaima

Jul 18, 2014 08:12pm

another raymond davis...we haven't really changed in 4 years

Recommend 0

ram

Jul 19, 2014 02:38am

this only happens in pakistan

Recommend 0