WHEN the victim of a 'targeted' killing is a member of the diplomatic corps, it becomes increasingly incumbent on the state to ensure foreign missions have adequate security. This was highlighted by Monday morning's attack in Karachi's Defence area, in which a staffer of the Saudi Arabian consulate was killed. The diplomat, a security official, was shot close to the consulate, reportedly while driving to work without a security escort or driver. He was targeted by assailants on motorcycles. The killing comes only a few days after the Saudi consulate was attacked by grenades; no one was hurt in that incident. It is not clear what the exact motive for the murder or the earlier attack was, but there are several possibilities. The staffer may have been targeted in response to the situation in the Gulf, specifically the Saudi military intervention in Bahrain. The murder may also have been retaliation by Al Qaeda or the Taliban to Osama bin Laden's killing; the terror mastermind had no love lost for the Saudi establishment which had revoked his citizenship.

The Saudi foreign ministry has said it will tighten security at missions abroad, starting with Pakistan. Yet the killing was a clear lapse on the part of Pakistan's own security apparatus. After the grenade attack, it was obvious the Saudis were being targeted. A threat existed, yet it appears no steps were taken to counter it. To say foreign missions did not request extra security is not a plausible excuse. If a credible security threat exists it is the responsibility of the host state to protect diplomats. Security for diplomats serving in Pakistan should be reviewed. Also, it is imperative that the diplomat's murder be fully investigated while security for Saudi and other missions vulnerable to such attacks in the country must be beefed up immediately.