A day after guests were harassed at an Iftar party organised by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, Government of India on Sunday, 2 June, released a statement criticising “a concerted campaign... by Pakistan's security agencies” to prevent the commission from holding the party.
The statement said that the “disappointing” event do not just “violate basic norms of diplomatic conduct” but also against “notions of civilised behaviour”.
“Stopping diplomats and officials of the High Commission of India in Pakistan from discharging their diplomatic functions by intimidation and coercion is entirely counter-productive for our bilateral relationship.”The statement read
Diplomats Stopped From Attending Iftar Party
Over 300 visitors, mainly Pakistanis, were reportedly forcibly stopped from attending the Iftar hosted by the Indian High Commission. Pakistani security personnel reportedly also misbehaved with Indian diplomats.
“The security forces stationed on the main road outside Hotel Serena rudely rebuffed and intimated officers and diplomatic staff of the High Commission of India who tried to ascertain from the security personnel the reasons for harassment of the guests,” the statement said.
According to media reports, some guests were even forced to return from the event with their cars being lifted. The security officials also manhandled some guests, all of which resulted in low turnout at the event that was organised at Serena Hotel.
Speaking at the event, Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria apologised for the discomfort.
“I apologise to all our friends who came here from Lahore and Karachi and were subjected to additional scrutiny. I understand several of them had to return as well.”Ajay Bisaria
Speaking to ANI, Bisaria said, “We apologise to all our guests who were aggressively turned away from our Iftar yesterday. Such intimidatory tactics are deeply disappointing. They not only violate basic norms of diplomatic conduct and civilised behaviour, they are counter-productive for our bilateral relations.”
India Protests Against ‘Gross Intimidation of Guests’
The High Commission said India “has strongly protested to Pakistan” over “the gross intimidation of guests”.
The mission urged the Pakistani government to “urgently investigate these ugly events” and share the results of the exercise with it.
Witnesses said the operation was carried out by Pakistani security agencies including intelligence personnel not in uniform.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi were among those invited to the event but they skipped it.
According to Wion, the tradition of the Indian High Commission hosting an Iftar event was started by Sibi George 12 years ago.
Meanwhile, Bisaria also reportedly spoke about the new government in India, adding that the choice of the external affairs minister was ‘very positive.’
“This new government has Prime Minister Modi as the PM and the new, very positive external affairs minister, who was the foreign secretary, Dr S Jaishankar. This government has come with a strong mandate of development and prosperity for the people.”
Both PM Imran Khan and PM Modi are scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in the second week of June.
(With inputs from WION, IANS and ANI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)