In 2010, a Pakistani journalist who lost his relatives in a US drone strike sought to charge America's top spying agency in Pakistan with murder.

"We appeal to the authorities not to let Jonathan Banks escape from Pakistan," said Karim Khan

Banks was the alleged CIA station chief placed Islamabad. Khan had then lodged a formal police complaint to prevent the US official from leaving Pakistan, and also sought $500 million (£314 million) in damages from the US government.

Now, an Islamabad high court has ordered the Pakistan government to begin criminal proceedings against the CIA. “Finally, Islamabad high court ordered the Pakistan government to initiate criminal proceedings against CIA officials in Islamabad,” Mirza Shahzad Akbar, Kareem Khan’s lawyer, told RT.

Akbar blamed the Pakistan government’s hesitation to take on America in a court of law for the 6 years of delay.

“The main reason behind all this is the inaction from the Pakistani government as well because they are not willing to take this case against the CIA officials, because they are afraid it might ruin the US-Pakistan relationship, or once this case is open it would also get those people investigated who could be involved from the Pakistani side as well," Akbar said.

Both Khan's brother and son were killed in a drone strike on their home near Mir Ali in North Waziristan in 2009. The strike was reportedly intended for Taliban commander Haji Omar.