Pakistanis invited to an Iftar hosted by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad were actively dissuaded and physically stopped from attending the event by Pakistani agencies, prompting India to lodge a strong protest with that country, the government informed the RajyaSabha on Thursday.
In a written reply to a question in RajyaSabha, Minister ofState for External Affairs V Muraleedharansaid the High Commission of India in Islamabad organised an Iftar and dinnerreception on June 1 in accordance with established practice. Pakistani guests,who were invited, were “harassed, intimidated, actively dissuaded andphysically stopped” from attending the function by Pakistani securityforces or agencies, he said. Many guests from the diplomatic community based inIslamabad were also harassed, he said.”The Government of India has lodged astrong protest with Pakistan side in the matter. It has been conveyed that suchact was in blatant violation of diplomatic norms and civilisedbehaviour,”the minister said.