Indian High Commissioner slams Pakistan for crackdown on embassy’s Iftar party in Islamabad

Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, slammed authorities in Pakistan for the treatment given out to the guests of the Iftar party hosted by the former in Islamabad on Saturday. Bisaria apologized to the guests who were aggressively turned away, stating such tactics are detrimental to the bilateral relations of the two countries.  

“We apologise to all our guests who were aggressively turned away from our Iftar yesterday. Such intimidating tactics are deeply disappointing. They not only violate basic norms of diplomatic conduct and civilized behaviour, they are counter-productive for our bilateral relations,” Bisaria said. 

In a video which went viral on social media, Indian Ambassador Bisaria was seen apologising for the fiasco to what remained of his guests at the party yesterday. “I would apologise to all our friends who were subject to some extra scrutiny outside. Many of them cannot even enter,” Bisaria lamented.

The Indian Embassy in Pakistan had organized the event on June 1 and invited several high ranking Pakistani government including Prime Minister Imran Khan. Indian diplomats often face harassment in Pakistan. Last year India authorities pulled up Pakistan when gas connections of Indian envoys were delayed and their internet connections were blocked. 

There have been frequent reports of visitors to Indian envoys being subjected to questioning by Pakistani agencies. Pakistani agencies have been subjecting Indian diplomats to constant surveillance which has increased after Balakot airstrikes by India in Pakistan. 

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had also accepted during a media briefing that Indian High Commission in Pakistan was facing “a litany of issues” which remains unresolved despite taking up the matter with Pakistani officials.