Reciprocity move: FM Qureshi tells Indian High Commission's staff to pack their bags
Qureshi said that world is being sensitized about Islamophobia
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood on Tuesday said that Pakistan will also reduce the Indian High Commission s staff strength by 50 percent as a counter measure if India reduces 50 percent staff of Pakistan High Commission.
In a statement, he India is leveling allegations against staff of Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi based on bigotry and deceits and looking excuses for False Flag operation against Pakistan, adding that India is hiding its face after being embarrassed by China.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan will not remain silent on Indian allegations and will respond in befitting manner. He said India is trying to save its face after embarrassing defeat from China. He said about 120 million Indian people lost their jobs due to Coronavirus and India is looking for some excuses to divert attention from the situation.
Qureshi said that world is being sensitized about Islamophobia and closely monitoring the mistreatment of Muslims and other minorities in India. He said Indian people themselves are disgusted due to Hindutva policy.
“OIC Coordination Group also rejected Indian steps taken within India and in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as well,” he said and added international community considers India as a potent threat for regional peace.
Pakistan categorically rejected and strongly condemned baseless allegations made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs as a pretext to seek 50 percent reduction in the staff strength of the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Tuesday, Pakistan completely dismisses allegations of any violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by the officials of the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi and reiterates that they always function within the parameters of international law and diplomatic norms.
Pakistan also rejected the insinuations of intimidation of Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad. The Indian government’s smear campaign against Pakistan cannot obfuscate the illegal activities in which the Indian High Commission officials were found involved in. The MEA’s statement is another effort to distort facts and deny the culpability of these Indian High Commission officials in criminal offences.
The latest Indian action is a part of India’s desperate attempts to divert attention from its state-terrorism and worst human rights violations in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), adding that New Delhi would be better advised to focus on its internal and external issues, rather than creating diversions at the cost of peace and stability in South Asia.
Pakistan has been consistently sensitizing the world community that irresponsible policies of the BJP government are increasingly imperilling regional peace and stability.
The Indian Chargé d’ Affaires in Islamabad was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey Pakistan’s rejection and condemnation of the baseless Indian allegations. The Indian Chargé d’ Affaires was also informed of Pakistan’s decision to reduce the Indian High Commission’s staff strength by 50% as a reciprocal measure. The Chargé d’ Affaires was asked to implement the decision conveyed to him within seven days.
