According to a report by The News, Pakistani diplomats at the Pakistani High Commission in India are experiencing harassment. At least four of them have received eviction notices for their private, rented residences in New Delhi.
Sources indicate that the landlords issued these notices to the four diplomats before their contract periods had expired. The sources further claim that Pakistani diplomats are under constant surveillance, and their gas and internet services are frequently disconnected.
The extension of visas for 17 staff members, including diplomats, is also pending with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. A request for these visa extensions was submitted to India three to five months ago.
Furthermore, the water supply to the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi has been cut off, and the delivery of Indian newspapers to the High Commission has been halted for a month and a half. The Pakistani High Commission has formally informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorities about these issues.
The alleged harassment is taking place against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi following a brief armed conflict in May of this year. In May, India launched cross-border strikes into Pakistan, claiming to target terrorists responsible for an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In response to this unprovoked aggression, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos after shooting down six Indian Air Force fighter jets, including three Rafales. The 87-hour-long conflict, which involved cross-border strikes from both sides, resulted in the martyrdom of 40 civilians and 13 armed forces personnel in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had also announced its intention to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan in abeyance. However, the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the Issues of general interpretation of the IWT recently ruled that India “shall let flow” the waters of the western rivers for Pakistan’s unrestricted use.
