Ahead of Pakistan Day function Islamabad calls back its envoy from New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 15 (Only Kashmir): Ahead of the ‘Pakistan Day’ function at Pakistan High Commissioner’s office on the occasion of Pakistan Day on 23th March, the Harassment of Pakistani Diplomats in New Delhi has come on forefront forcing the Government of Pakistan to call back its High Commissioner, Sohail Mahmood, to Islamabad.
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.
Reports reaching Onlykashmir.in, days after alleging harassment of its officials and their families in New Delhi, Pakistan on Thursday called back its High Commissioner in New Delhi, Sohail Mahmood, to Islamabad. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said they will hold consultations with the High Commissioner over “recent incidents of harassing of their diplomats”.
A senior Pakistani diplomat’s vehicle was stopped in Chankyapuri neighborhood of New Delhi and forced to return to the Pakistan High Commission.



In another incident, the children of the Deputy High Commissioner were stopped while going to school and their driver was harassed.
Meanwhile, Senior Hurriyat Conference (M) leader and People’s Political Party (PPP) Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War has strongly condemned the harassment of Pakistani diplomats and their families in New Delhi. He said the act is antithetical to diplomatic etiquettes and should be widely condemned.
“These are deliberate acts and India should understand such tactics will further tarnish its already dented image. What India is doing in Kashmir and to its minorities is already under scrutiny and such instances will further dent its image internationally,” said War.
Pertinently, Pakistan observes 23rd March as Republic Day under which Pakistan high commission in New Delhi also hosts a function where traditionally people from different walks of life from Kashmir including Hurriyat leaders, mainstream leaders, journalists and activists are also being invited. (OK)