NEW DELHI: Even as the Indo-Pak border remained relatively quiet on Friday after days of firing, there were mutual recriminations this time over not issuing assignment visas to diplomats and officials. India claimed that Pakistan has not issued visa for 12 officials, which include five diplomats, who have been appointed to work at the High Commission in Islamabad.
Pakistan official sources denied any such delay, claiming it has recently issued several assignment visas to Indian officials. “But none have been given by India so far. Visas to our diplomats and officials, including air and naval attaches, are stuck with India for many months,” they claimed. Pakistan alleged that India “unhelpfully continued to link all other administrative aspects to the visa issue, which is indeed regrettable”.
“India is lately behaving in a most uncooperative way,” said a Pakistani source. In reaction, Indian officials claimed that it has issued visa to all Pakistani officials, expect five.
The officials said Pakistani authorities refused to issue visa to an Indian yoga instructor, who was to take part in International Yoga Day celebrations organised by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
After a high level meeting on Thursday, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said, “We remain committed to steps that ensure peace and tranquility. But any unprovoked firing from Pakistan would be met with an equal and effective response.”