Intimidation of Indian High Commission officials in Pak goes unabated

Islamabad [Pakistan] March 19 (ANI): The intimidation of Indian High Commission officials goes on unabated in Pakistan.

According to sources, four Indian High Commission officials were intimidated and harassed on Monday in two different incidents.

"On Monday, two officials of the High Commission went for shopping to Safa Gold Mall. They were aggressively followed by two persons in a Toyota Corolla car in close proximity at various locations," sources said.

They informed that in another incident, two people on motorbike aggressively followed two officials of the High Commission officials who were going to Super Market for shopping in High Commission's vehicle.

A day after India issued its 12th note verbale to Pakistan protesting the 'intimidation' of its staff there, it gave another such diplomatic note to the neighbouring country on Sunday, taking the tally to 13.

The Note Verbale is a diplomatic note, which is unsigned and drafted in the third person.

"On March 18, the second secretary at the Indian high commission in Pakistan was aggressively followed by unidentified people in a car in close proximity in an intimidating manner while he was going to Chhaye Khana restaurant. Videos were made using a mobile phone," the sources said.

Apart from it, the sources said, the website of the High Commission of India continues to be intermittently blocked, which is causing inconvenience and has affected the normal functioning of the Mission.

"Such incidents of harassment, intimidation and threats to the physical security of diplomats and officials are in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, and a threat to the security and safety of the personnel of the High Commission of India," the sources said.

Pakistan has been told that the safety and security of Indian High Commission, its officers, staff members and their families is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan.

India has also requested Pakistan to immediately investigate all these incidents and direct the relevant authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

New Delhi has also asked Islamabad to share the investigation details with Indian High Commission.

These incidents have come after Pakistan called back its envoy to India, Sohail Mahmood, for 'consultation' over reports of harassment. (ANI)