Indian diplomats face fresh hostility in Pak: Internet blocked, power supply disrupted

In a fresh episode of diplomatic tension, Indian envoys in Pakistan have said that Islamabad is not treating them right. According to the latest media reports, several Indian diplomats complained about abrupt power supply disconnection. Many found out that they were not able to access their mails as the Internet was blocked. Many Indian diplomats said that the Pakistani authorities were not issuing new gas connections to them. Others said that the guests visiting diplomats were being harassed. In fact, an official reportedly said that an intruder was spotted trying to enter his house. This incident happened earlier this month, the news agency ANI said on Saturday.

This is not the first time that the Indian diplomats have complained about such harassment. Earlier in March, there was similar kind of issue between the two nations. Both nations had accused each other of harassing the diplomatic staff.

At that time, Pakistan had issued a demarche to India saying it was becoming difficult for its diplomats to function in Delhi. It was said that the March episode of hostility was sparked by an ISI raid on a residential complex under construction for Indian diplomats in Islamabad.

Read More | Pakistan: Indian diplomats stopped from meeting Sikh pilgrims in Lahore gurdwara

Before this, on February 16, the Indian High Commissioner had met the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and lodged a strong protest against multiple acts of hooliganism against Indian properties and personnel.

It is said that over 7-8 men raided the residential complex last month and disconnected water supply and electricity to the property owned by India. Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisra met the Pakistan foreign secretary on Feb 16 to protest such astc of hooliganism against Indian staff and property.

Read More | India lodges another protest after diplomats harassed in Pakistan

Even after the strong protest by Bisaria, the power supply wasn’t restored for over two weeks. Bisaria’s car was intercepted recently in the middle of the road as he was prevented from attending an event, sources here said.

Apart from March tension, recently, Pakistani authorities had yet again proven their hostile attitude. Last month, while the Sikh community in Pakistan was observing the 550th birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev at Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials masquerading as Sikhs stopped the entry of Indian diplomats from Islamabad from meeting Indian pilgrims visiting Gurudwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad near Lahore. The Indian High Commission officials led by Ranjit Singh and Sunil Kumar were also allegedly insulted outside the holy place and were stopped from entering the premises of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib.