India and Pakistan are in the middle of a major diplomatic spat with both sides accusing each other of harassing, even intimidating, diplomats. While Pakistan has now issued a demarche to India saying it was becoming difficult for its diplomats to function in Delhi, sources in India have said the present round of hostility was initiated by an ISI raid on a residential complex under construction for Indian diplomats in Islamabad.
Officials told The Times of India that the hostilities began with the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence’s raid on a residential complex under construction for Indian diplomats in Islamabad on February 16.
The Pakistani agency reportedly disconnected power and water supply.
High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria had intimated Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua about “multiple acts of hooliganism” against Indian staff and property. However, the power supply was reportedly not restored for over two weeks.
Pakistan too has accused India of harassing its diplomats and their families and threatened to pull out the families.
Pakistan’s leading newspaper Dawn reported that a demarche was issued to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad against intimidation of its diplomats. “It is becoming difficult for the Pakistani diplomats posted in India to keep their families with them due to increase in harassment incidents,” said the newspaper quoting a source. It further added that harassment of families would not be tolerated at all.
