India Declares Another Pakistani Official 'Persona Non Grata', Asked To Leave Country In 24 Hours
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the official was declared 'persona non grata' for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India.
India on Wednesday declared another Pakistani official working at Pakistan High Commission in Delhi 'persona non grata'. This is the second such expulsion in a week, people familiar with the matter told news agency PTI.
The charge d'affaires of the Pakistan high commission, Saad Warraich, was issued a demarche or a formal diplomatic protest on this issue. The Pakistani official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday released a statement saying that the official was declared 'persona non grata' for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India.
"Charge d’Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today. He was asked to strictly ensure that none of the Pakistani diplomats or officials in India misuse their privileges and status in any manner," the MEA statement said.
On May 13, India had expelled another Pakistani official for allegedly indulging in espionage. Following India's action, Pakistan had also expelled an Indian staffer posted at the Indian high commission in Islamabad.
India's expulsion of two staffers at the Pakistani high commission came as police in Punjab and Haryana are carrying out an investigation into espionage activities linked to Pakistan. At least three persons have been arrested so far in the case.
Last week, Punjab Police said it arrested two persons including a woman for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to a Pakistani official posted at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi.
The expulsion of two Pakistani staffers came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. India carried out precision strikes on nine terror infrastructures early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Following the Indian attack, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10.
The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side by inflicting heavy damages to a number of key Pakistani military installations including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect.
Top Headlines
