'Four Pakistani Officials Declared Persona Non-grata'

Navtej Sarna: The Charge d' Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was summoned today to the Ministry ofExternal Affairs.

It was pointed out to him that the harassment meted out by Pakistani agencies to the Indian Charge d' Affairesin Islamabad on Saturday, January 18, 2003 was completely unacceptable.

Over the last three days, the harassment of our Charge d' Affaires in Islamabad has continued, alsoobstructing him in the discharge of his normal diplomatic functions.

These activities of Pakistani agencies constitute a grave violation of all norms and conventions of diplomaticinteraction, provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, and Code of Conduct forTreatment of Diplomatic Personnel in India and Pakistan signed by the two countries in August 1992.

The Government of India reiterates that it is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to ensure thesecurity and safety of all personnel in the High Commission of India, Islamabad and their families.

The Charge d'Affaires was also informed that four officials of the Pakistan High Commission have been foundindulging in activities incompatible with their official status. These were (i) Mansoor Saeed Sheikh, (ii)Mian Muhammad Asif, (iii) Muhammad Tasneem Khan, and (iv) Sher Muhammad.

These officials were declared persona non-grata and the Government of Pakistan was asked to withdraw themimmediately, within the next 48 hours. 

Are these personnel diplomats?
They are officials. I understand that one of them is a Counsellor, one is a First Secretary, and two are staffmembers. 

Who is Counsellor and who is First Secretary?
In order of the names.

What action is GOI …….?
 I don't understand your question. The harassment is to our CDA and we have protested it very strongly tothe Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Today also a note-verbale has been handed over to them on thatissue.

Was there any harassment to our CDA again today?
There were reports of continued harassment. And in one form or the other it is continuing. 

What are the charges on which these officials were declared persona non-grata?
The declaration of the officials as persona non-grata is on the basis of the fact that we have evidence thatthey are indulging in activities incompatible with their official status. 

What are the activities? 
I am not at liberty to share that with the Press. 

Can we say that our CDA is facing a situation like house arrest?

He is certainly facing a situation which is absolutely unwarranted. It is unacceptable and it isunprecedented. He is the senior most Indian Diplomat in Islamabad and this continued harassment isunacceptable and is in complete violation of even basic diplomatic courtesy, leave alone the diplomatictreaties and Code of Conduct which we have in place. 

If the harassment continues, what action GOI will take?
I would not like to indulge in any speculation.

How many Indian officials are there is Islamabad?
The authorized strength is Fifty-five.