Islamabad: In a new low by Pakistani authorities, guests who had come to attend the Iftar party hosted by Indian Embassy were manhandled and forcibly turned away by Pakistani authorities.
Indian High Commissioner, Ajay Bisaria, condemned the uncivilized behaviour of Pakistan and apologized to the guests who had come on the Embassy’s invite.
Ajay Bisaria said, “We apologise to all our guests who were aggressively turned away from our Iftar yesterday. Such intimidating tactics are deeply disappointing. They not only violate basic norms of diplomatic conduct and civilized behaviour, they are counter-productive for our bilateral relations.”
He added, “I would apologize to all our friends who were subject to some extra scrutiny outside. Many of them cannot even enter.”
The incident took place yesterday evening at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel. Guests were harassed and manhandled and forcibly turned away from the venue by Pakistani agencies. The guests were intimidated and threatened with consequences if they attended the Iftar hosted by the Indian Embassy.
Indian Embassy in Pakistan had organized the event on 1 June and had invited many high ranking officials and leaders of Pakistan including the Prime Minister. However, Pakistan responded by trying to mess up the gesture of goodwill by Indian diplomats.
Pakistani agencies’ harassment of Indian officials is not new. Last year, Pakistan delayed gas connections to Indian envoys and their internet connections were blocked. Visitors to Indian Embassy are subjected to questioning and diplomats are under constant surveillance.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had accepted that these kinds of unruly behaviour from the party of Pakistani authorities are continuing despite taking up the issue with higher officials in Pakistan.
