Diplomats at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are reportedly facing harassment in the host country, with basic utilities and services to their residences being disrupted.

 

According to media reports published on Tuesday, four Pakistani diplomats living in rented private residences in India have been issued notices to vacate their homes. 

 

The extension of Indian visas for 17 staff members, including diplomats, is also pending in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Three to five months ago, a request was made to New Delhi for the extension of visas for Pakistani officials.

 

Pakistani diplomats are under constant watch, and their home gas and internet services are being cut off from time to time, according to reports.

 

The water supply to the Commission in New Delhi has reportedly been cut off, while the delivery of Indian newspapers to the commission has also been barred for a month and a half. Meanwhile, the PHC has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorities.

 

Relations between both countries deteriorated following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 people, leading to a military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

 

In May this year, the Indian government declared two Pakistani officials posted at PHC in New Delhi persona non grata, accusing them of “activities not in keeping with their official status.”

 

In response, Pakistan had declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission (IHC) in Islamabad persona non grata, directing the diplomat to leave the country within 24 hours.