White House can only answer on Pak envoy's alleged anti-India activities, says State Department

Washington D.C. [United States), Aug.31 (ANI): Responding to a question regarding the White House reportedly conveying its displeasure to Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani for his anti-Indian activities, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he had not seen any such report, and added that the White House was in the best position to answer that question. Kirby was responding to question, "Sir, India and Pakistani media is reporting that Pakistani Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani has been reprimanded by White House due to his anti-Indian activities. Do you agree with these media reports?", Kirby replied, "I haven't seen a report of that. I would refer you to the White House to speak to that. I'm not - I'm not aware of that." It may, however, be recalled that earlier this week the White House had conveyed its displeasure to Ambassador Jilani for tweeting an image of him and his wife with U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama. In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Jilani, the White House criticised his actions and accused the ambassador of breaching trust and being undiplomatic in his action, The News reported. Jilani had in the last week of May tweeted the picture with the caption, "It was an absolute delight hosting FLOTUS at Pakistan House today." Reports suggest that the tweet along with the picture gave the impression that he had close ties with America's First Family. Following his tweet, a section of the press also claimed that that Michelle Obama and Jilani discussed bilateral relations as well. Disappointed by the tweet, the White House reportedly reminded in the letter that the U.S. First Lady's short stopover at the Jilani residence was personal and extracting any political gain out of that was unprofessional. The U.S. First Lady was invited to Pakistan House, to participate in the graduation party of Jilani's son. His youngest son is said to have attended the same school as President Barack Obama's two daughters. Pakistan's Foreign Office in Islamabad also took notice of the tweet followed by the embarrassment of Jilani being asked to remove the image from his twitter feed. A Foreign Office statement said that the report was "completely incorrect and baseless." The official also said that the Pakistan embassy or the foreign ministry received no such letter of displeasure from the White House. When asked to comment on the incident, Jilani reportedly termed it incorrect. (ANI)