Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad persona non grata, ordering the individual to leave within 24 hours for allegedly engaging in activities inconsistent with diplomatic norms. The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Pakistan reiterated the importance of respecting diplomatic privileges and not exploiting them.
This move came just hours after India ordered a Pakistani diplomat stationed in New Delhi to exit the country under similar accusations. India issued a demarche to Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, emphasizing that diplomatic staff must confine themselves to official duties and avoid activities that breach host country laws or international protocols.
Also Read: Pakistan Declares Indian Diplomat Persona Non Grata, Issues 24-Hour Exit Notice
Amid these diplomatic expulsions, tensions between the two nations continue to climb, particularly after a deadly suicide attack on a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, which killed six people, including three children. Pakistan’s military attributed the attack to Indian-backed proxies, further straining already volatile relations. Both China and the US strongly condemned the assault, with calls for justice and support for Pakistan’s anti-terrorism efforts.
This flare-up follows a series of escalatory moves since April, including airstrikes, missile attacks, and tit-for-tat military operations. Though a ceasefire was announced on May 10 following US intervention, the underlying hostility remains high, with recent diplomatic tit-for-tat moves signaling deep distrust and ongoing rivalry.
