News
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Pakistan summons Indian envoy over diplomat’s manhandling* Indian foreign secretary regrets incident, assures thorough investigation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the harassment of its diplomat in New Delhi.
The Indian deputy high commissioner was called to the Foreign Office and serious concerns were raised over Monday’s incident in New Delhi in which First Secretary Zirgham Raza and his driver Haider Zaman of the Pakistan High Commission were physically abused. The Indian deputy high commissioner was informed that such incidents are uncalled for, unnecessary and do not augur well for the overall bilateral relations, especially at a time when the leadership of the two countries is desirous of improving and normalising relations, said a Foreign Office statement.
Earlier in the day, the Indian foreign secretary called on Foreign Secretary Jilal Abbas Jilani to express his regrets over the incident and assured him that the matter would be thoroughly investigated. He informed Foreign Secretary Jilani that two persons involved in the incident had already been arrested and an FIR had been lodged. While noting the actions being taken by the government of India in resolving this matter, the Pakistani government called upon it to ensure that such incidents do not recur and reminded the Indian government of its obligation under diplomatic conventions and norms of providing adequate safety and security to all Pakistan High Commission personnel, premises and vehicles, the statement said.
Meanwhile, detailing the incident, the official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has said: “A minor road accident involving the car of a diplomat of the Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi, occurred on 03 June 2013 evening. The driver of the car bearing a diplomatic number plate had hit a motorcycle at Ber Sarai, near JNU campus. Both the motorcyclist and the woman passenger riding pillion sustained injuries from the fall.
Subsequently, the driver of the car and the motorcyclist had an altercation and reportedly a scuffle ensued wherein the Pakistan High Commission driver and the diplomat suffered minor injuries. Police responded promptly to calls for assistance and escorted the diplomats to safety from the crowd of onlookers who had gathered at the site of incident. The police extended the Pakistan High Commission officials due courtesies and escorted them to the AIIMS trauma centre and offered medical assistance and examination. They were later escorted back. Separately, the police have registered a case under relevant sections of the penal code against the motorcyclist and the woman passenger, who have been arrested.” app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk