Acting Indian HC summoned to protest harassment of Pakistani envoys in New Delhi

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Tuesday summoned the acting Indian high commissioner to lodge a protest over the harassment of Pakistani envoys and for allowing anti-Pakistan protesters to reach and jolt the gate of Pakistan House.

“Special Secretary (Asia Pacific) Imtiaz Ahmad summoned the Acting Indian High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia today to lodge a strong protest against the anti-Pakistan demonstration on February 18, 2019, where protestors were allowed to reach and jolt the gate of the Pakistan House despite presence of Indian security officials,” a Foreign Office statement read.

“It was underscored that despite a strong protest to the Indian government, acts of harassment targeting the Pakistan High Commission, Pakistan House, and the officers/officials of the high commission and their families continued, including abusive calls to the Pakistan High Commission helpline,” it added.

The special secretary reiterated Pakistan's demand to the government of India for a “comprehensive, immediate investigation of this serious breach of security, taking foolproof measures for safety and security of the Pakistan House, High Commission and its officers/officials and their families in New Delhi, and ensuring that such incidents do not recur”.

The already sour relations between India and Pakistan have worsened over the past week as New Delhi piled blame on Islamabad for the Pulwama attack. Pakistan's leadership has strongly refuted the allegations.

Some 44 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed last week when an explosives-packed van rammed a convoy transporting 2,500 security forces in Pulwama, in the deadliest attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir in 30 years.