Pakistani officials allegedly harassed and intimidated guests invited for an Iftar party hosted by Indian High Commission in Islamabad. According to reports, several guests were even turned back and not allowed to enter inside Hotel Serena, where the party was being hosted.
"Pakistani agencies virtually laid siege on Hotel Serena on Saturday, harassed, intimidated and turned back hundreds of guests, reported ANI.
"Before that, they called invitees from masked numbers and threatened them with consequences if they attended the Iftar," people privy with the development were quoted as saying.
Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria has confirmed the incident and also apologised for the inconvenience.
READ | India lodges protest with Pakistan over guests’ harassment at Islamabad Iftar party, seeks probe
“I apologise to all our friends who came here from Lahore and Karachi and were subjected to additional scrutiny. I understand several of them had to return as well,” Bisaria said.
"They not only violate basic norms of diplomatic conduct and civilized behaviour, they are counter-productive for our bilateral relations," Bisaria added.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi hosted the traditional 'Iftar' dinner on Tuesday evening to celebrate blessings of the holy month of Ramazan.
Individuals from all walks of life, including political personalities, community notables, Sajjadah Nasheens of several Sufi shrines in India, academics, writers, journalists, artists, civil society activists, Pakistani students and other prominent persons attended the dinner, it said in a statement.
Acting High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah welcomed the distinguished guests.
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