Indian diplomats being harassed in Islamabad; Pak envoy's return not a recall: MEA
NEW DELHI: The diplomatic wrangle between India and Pakistan took another turn for the worse today, as New Delhi alleged that the country's diplomats were facing harassment and being prevented from discharging their duties in Islamabad.
"Indian High Commission in Pakistan is facing many issues. We've reached out through established diplomatic channels to Islamabad. We want that our Commission in Islamabad functions smoothly, the officials are not harassed, their work is not obstructed and that the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations, 1961 is abided by," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a press briefing. Pakistan media is silent on these harassment tactics accorded to the Indian Diplomats in Isloo !
The MEA also underplayed Islamabad's decision to summon its top diplomat in India back home for consultations following allegations of harassment of Pakistani diplomatic staff in New Delhi. Expressing his surprise that such an issue was being raised, Kumar claimed that Pakistani High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood's return to his homeland was a routine matter and not a "recall", an action which would signify a massive fracture in bilateral ties between the two nations. Pakistan is facing pressure on many fronts these days !
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry claimed that the staff and their families have been facing "harassment, intimidation and outright violence" from Indian state agencies in recent weeks. Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal said the decision was taken after Pakistani officials and their families in New Delhi reported maltreatment, such as being chased by motorcyclists who wanted to photograph them.
While not outright acknowledging the reports of harassment of Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi, the MEA said it has taken note of the concerns aired by the neighbouring country. "We're looking into the concerns raised by Pakistan High Commission, in good faith. We urge them to resolve the issues faced by our staff and ensure their safety, and that there is no obstruction and harassment," said Kumar. Paki Echendee does not allow them to admit that they are "doing this" !
While Pakistan on Tuesday issued a demarche to India saying it was becoming difficult for its diplomats to function in Delhi, sources here said the present round of hostility was initiated by an ISI raid on a residential complex under construction for Indian diplomats in Islamabad. The ISI is Pakistan's spy agency.
A group of 7-8 men raided the residential complex last month and disconnected the electricity and water supply to the property which is owned by India. Indian high commissioner in Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, met the Pakistan foreign secretary on February 16 to strongly protest such "multiple acts of hooliganism" against Indian staff and property. The sanctity of diplomatic property under the Vienna Convention is not respected by the Pakis . At least India has not stooped to this "low level" and raided the Paki properties in New Delhi !
The government, as a source said, has also not taken kindly to the fact that Islamabad Club has sought to deny membership, which is open to all diplomats, to Indian high commissioner Bisaria and other Indian diplomats.