India expels Pakistan High Commission official, gives 24 hours to leave

India on Monday expelled a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, for indulging in activities “not in keeping with his official status”. He was asked to leave the country within 24 hours.

 

“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 External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

 

“Charge d’Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today. He was asked to strictly ensure that none of the Pakistani diplomats or officials in India misuse their privileges and status in any manner,” it said.

 

 Though the MEA did not divulge the specific charges against the Pakistani national, it is learnt that they are related to a case of espionage being probed by the Punjab Police.

 

New Delhi had last week expelled a Pakistani official for allegedly indulging in espionage.

 

At least 12 people were arrested in India on charges of espionage in the last two weeks, with the investigations pointing to an alleged Pakistan-linked spy network operating in north India.

 

Those arrested included Haryana resident Jyoti Malhotra, whose YouTube channel (Travel with JO) and Instagram accounts have 3.77 lakh subscribers and 1.33 lakh followers respectively. Another woman arrested in the case is Punjab resident Guzala.

 

 The actions came amid heightened tensions between the two countries following their four-day military confrontation.

 

India