India announces a Pakistani official as ‘persona non grata’ for espionage
A Pakistani officer assigned by the Pakistan High Commission was expelled by India on Tuesday for supposedly participating in espionage.
New Delhi (India) May 14: A Pakistani officer was dismissed by India from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi due to suspected espionage. The official was given 24 hours to leave the country after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared that his acts were out of line with his official duties.
"The government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement.
Pakistan declared an Indian employee 'persona non grata' in response after India expelled a Pakistani diplomat for spying.
"The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status.” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in an official statement.
A foreign ambassador who is requested to return home by the host nation is known as a persona non grata (PNG).
During an investigation by the Punjab Police that resulted in the arrest of two people, including a woman, accused of providing confidential information to a handler operating in Pakistan, India decided to remove the Pakistani official. Gaurav Yadav, the Director General of Police, confirmed that these arrests were made in response to accurate information on the movements of the Indian Army that had been leaked.
According to an inquiry, the two individuals said to be paid for the secret data online. According to Yadav, they had regular communication with the handler based in Pakistan and had a role in sending money to other local agents at the handler's orders.
After the Pahalgam attack on April 22, India announced a number of diplomatic decisions, reducing the staff of Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi from 55 to 30.They were asked to leave the country in one week.
After their four-day military conflict and ceasefire agreement the tensions between the two countries are already high.
Aadrika Tayal
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