ISLAMABAD: Tensions between India and Pakistan erupted once again on Wednesday after the Indian government ordered another Pakistani diplomat to leave the country within 24 hours.
According to official sources, India has ordered Pakistani diplomat Muzammil, stationed at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, to leave India within 24 hours. He was declared persona non grata over his alleged activities deemed incompatible with his diplomatic role. The Pakistani chargé d’affaires was earlier on Wednesday summoned to the Indian foreign office in this regard. The diplomat, Muzammil, was working in the visa department. “Chargé d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission was issued a demarche 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 Indian ministry said in a statement.
On May 13, India had ordered a member of Pakistan’s diplomatic staff to leave the country. According to diplomatic sources, the expelled official, Rahim, was serving as a visa assistant at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. He was declared persona non grata by the Indian government. On April 23, shortly after a false flag operation in India-occupied Kashmir, India ordered all Pakistani citizens in the country to leave within 48 hours, while simultaneously announcing the closure of the Attari check post. The Pakistani High Commission staff was also ordered to return home within seven days.
Visas for Pakistani diplomats and defence attachés were also limited or cancelled, with several officials being asked to leave the country immediately. The Pakistani attaché was also declared persona non grata, the Indian foreign ministry had announced. In an official statement issued by India’s External Affairs Ministry, the country’s Cabinet Committee on Security had decided that the overall strength of the Pakistan High Commission would be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effective by May 1.
It is important to mention here Pakistan has given a befitting reply to India and declared the Indian High Commission official persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country. According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the Indian High Commission official in Islamabad was found involved in activities contrary to his diplomatic status, for which he has been declared persona non grata. The spokesperson said that the Indian High Commission official has been instructed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours. And the Indian Charge d’Affaires has been summoned and informed of the decision.
It should be noted that earlier, the Indian High Commission had declared the Pakistani diplomatic official persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country. According to Indian media, the Pakistani diplomatic official was in contact with spies, due to which it was decided to expel him from the country. According to Indian media, law enforcement agencies have arrested two people from Indian Punjab who are accused of spying for Pakistan. It should be noted that the situation remains tense after the recent clash between Pakistan and India. A ceasefire has been brokered by US President Donald Trump, but in his speech yesterday, Narendra Modi once again used threatening language against Pakistan.
On the other hand, Pakistan has made it clear to India that if any tampering with our water is done, we will consider it a war. Earlier to his incident there was an exchange of words between two important government figures points to the growing mutual distrust within the government, especially in the Indian armed forces, where Sikh generals and officers are being viewed with suspicion and distrust.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has also received death threats for his role in the ceasefire, while Indian Air Force Chief Amarpreet Singh is also facing threats allegedly from right-wing Hindutva groups, who hold the Air Force Chief responsible for the destruction of Rafale jets during the Indo-Pak war. Sikh leader Garuptunat Singh Pannu, addressing Indian Air Force Chief Amarpreet Singh, said that the Indians for whom you have taken up arms, the same Hindus will kill you.
On the other hand, more than 300 Sikh soldiers are now under the surveillance of Indian Military Intelligence. An internal investigation is underway into the activities of the Sikh soldiers after the Pahalgam attack and the Sikh soldiers may face court martial in the future. The reason is that these Sikh soldiers did not want to participate in India’s ‘political’ war.
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