NEW DELHI, June 27: Pakistanis invited to an Iftar hosted by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad were actively dissuaded and physically stopped from attending the event by Pakistani agencies, prompting India to lodge a strong protest with that country, the Government informed the Rajya Sabha today.
In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the High Commission of India in Islamabad organised an Iftar and dinner reception on June 1 in accordance with established practice.
Pakistani guests, who were invited, were “harassed, intimidated, actively dissuaded and physically stopped” from attending the function by Pakistani security forces or agencies, he said.
Many guests from the diplomatic community based in Islamabad were also harassed, he said.
“The Government of India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan side in the matter. It has been conveyed that such act was in blatant violation of diplomatic norms and civilised behaviour,” the Minister said.
The Government has called upon Pakistan to investigate into the events with all seriousness, and share the results of the investigation, Muraleedharan said. (PTI)
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