This Article is From Mar 15, 2018

'Routine' Says India On Pak Calling Back Envoy Over Alleged Harassment

Pakistan had earlier complained that the Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner's car was chased and men hurled abuses at the driver in Delhi.

India said it has repeatedly requested Pakistan to mutually ensure an atmosphere free of fear.

Highlights

  • Pakistan has called back Sohail Mahmood, High Commissioner in Delhi
  • Pakistan has alleged that diplomat was "harassed" in Delhi
  • India earlier said its diplomats face "tremendous harassment" in Pakistan
New Delhi: Pakistan has called back its High Commissioner in Delhi for a meeting after alleging that its diplomats and their families were "harassed and intimidated" in the capital. Islamabad said in a statement that it had called envoy Sohail Mahmood for "consultations" after "no positive action had been taken by India".

The Indian government downplayed the move, calling it "routine". "He has been called back for consultation. This is pretty normal for High Commissioner to brief its foreign office. We have no further comments," foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a press conference in New Delhi.

Pakistan had complained to the government that there had been many incidents of its officials and their families being harassed and "bullied" in Delhi. According to Islamabad, its Deputy High Commissioner's car was chased and his driver was abused by a group of men.

Over the past few days, video footage and photos apparently of such incidents have been shown on Pakistani television channels.
 
sohail mahmood

Islamabad has called back Sohail Mahmood after allegations that Pak diplomats were being "harassed".

On complaints from Islamabad, New Delhi had said last week that "India makes all efforts to provide a safe, secure and hospitable environment for diplomats to work in", adding that Indian officials too faced "tremendous harassment" in that country but preferred to handle them with "quiet and persistent diplomacy" instead of flagging them in the media.

"Harassment is the new normal for Indian High Commission personnel in Islamabad," the foreign ministry had said in a statement.
 
pak high commission

Pak said its Deputy High Commissioner's car was chased and his driver was abused by a group of men in Delhi.

India said its diplomats in Islamabad had faced harassment for long, "particularly in the last year", when ties between the neighbours had taken a sharp plunge over ceasefire violations and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Giving instances, India said on 16 February, the Indian envoy met the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan to lodge a strong protest against multiple acts of hooliganism. It said the homes of Indian officials were broken into, the power supply snapped and often laptops were stolen.

India said it has repeatedly requested Pakistan to mutually ensure an atmosphere free of fear. "We would like to continue the fine tradition of allowing diplomats to do their jobs," said the government.
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