ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned India's deputy high commissioner over what the ministry says is the harassment of diplomats and families of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
“The Indian Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. J.P. Singh, was summoned by Director General (South Asia & SAARC), Dr. Mohammad Faisal, and a strong protest was lodged at the maltreatment being meted out to the officials and families of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Tuesday night.
The official statement added that the officers, staff and, more regrettably, the families and children of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi “continue to face intense harassment, intimidation and outright violence from the Indian state agencies … These have escalated exponentially in the last few days."
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said that what he described as “deliberate bullying” is not confined to a single isolated occurrence, but continues unabated in a series of incidents, "especially targeting the children of our officers and staff."
“On 7 & 8 March 2018, the children of the officers of the mission were harassed while returning from school. Their cars were stopped by unknown persons who threatened the children and filmed them.”
The spokesman added that “all these incidents continue unabated despite repeated official protests lodged with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs at the highest level, and providing specific details of the culprits' vehicles. Our High Commission has also shared photographs identifying the individuals who forcibly halted and took pictures of the officer."
At the same time, the Indian media reported that New Delhi had also urged the authorities in Pakistan to make sure that the High Commission in Islamabad is allowed to perform routine jobs in an atmosphere free of harassment and intimidation.
Foreign Office summons Indian envoy about Pakistani diplomats’ harassment in New Delhi
Foreign Office summons Indian envoy about Pakistani diplomats’ harassment in New Delhi
Pakistan monitoring energy supplies as Iran war raises economic risks — finance minister
- Aurangzeb tells the top British diplomat about steps taken by the government to track international markets
- British high commissioner reaffirms the UK’s support for Pakistan’s economic stabilization, long-term growth
KARACHI: Pakistan is closely monitoring global energy markets and supply chains and has set up a high-level committee to assess the possible economic impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told the British High Commissioner on Thursday.
The interaction comes as Pakistan’s fragile economic recovery faces new uncertainty from the widening war involving Iran, which has raised fears of disruptions to global energy supplies and trade routes critical for the country’s import-dependent economy.
Pakistan has only recently stabilized its finances after years of economic turmoil marked by high inflation, dwindling foreign exchange reserves and a balance-of-payments crisis.
Tensions surged after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran amid negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, triggering retaliation against US military installations in the Gulf and raising concerns about broader regional escalation.
“Prime Minister has constituted a high-level committee comprising key federal ministries and the State Bank of Pakistan to closely monitor developments and undertake daily stock-taking of critical sectors, particularly energy supplies and global commodity markets,” the finance minister told the top British diplomat, according to a statement by the finance division.
“The committee is reviewing supply chains, price movements, and potential disruptions in petroleum products, crude oil, coal, and gas, while also assessing broader implications for inflation, external accounts, and financial stability,” he added.
Aurangzeb said Pakistan currently maintains adequate reserves and supply arrangements but the government is conducting scenario planning and sensitivity analysis should the regional conflict persist.
He also briefed the British high commissioner on Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and progress under its International Monetary Fund program, including measures aimed at broadening the tax base, improving compliance and strengthening governance.
Marriott welcomed Pakistan’s reform efforts and reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for the country’s economic stabilization and long-term growth, according to the statement.
Both sides also discussed the importance of maintaining investor confidence and promoting investment in sectors such as mining and minerals development while strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
