India says it is against civilised behaviour
An iftar party hosted by Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria on Saturday was put to trouble by Pakistan intelligence agencies with guests allegedly stopped, harassed and turned away at the hotel gate.
A letter released by the High Commission of India criticised “a concerted campaign by Pakistan’s security agencies” that prevented the Commission from hosting the evening fast-breaking meal and said it was in violation of “basic norms of diplomatic conduct” and “all notions of civilised behaviour”.
The letter also called on the Government of Pakistan to “urgently investigate these ugly events” and share the results of the investigation with the High Commission.
“Many guests from the diplomatic community based in Islamabad were also subjected to harassment. In complete violation of diplomatic norms, a large Pakistani security detachment, equipped with fork lifts, was detailed outside Serena hotel to aggressively turn away Pakistani citizens.”
It was reported that the Pakistani officials virtually laid siege on the Serena hotel, the venue for the annual party, and harassed, intimidated and turned back hundreds of guests invited at the party.
Indian High Commissioner hosted the event for which guests were invited from all over Pakistan.
Pakistani officials allegedly stopped and harassed the guests who were invited at an iftar party. There was “unprecedented presence of Pakistani intelligence and officials” who laid siege of the hotel, sources said.
“Before that, they called invitees from unknown numbers and threatened them with consequences if they attended the iftar party hosted by the Indian High Commission,” sources said.
The gates were shut down and many were told that the iftar party has been cancelled, they said. Due to the harassment of the guests, the iftar party at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad saw fewer guests in attendance.
While speaking at the event, Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria confirmed the incident and also apologised to those who were subjected to extra scrutiny and questioning.
“We apologise to all our guests who have aggressively turned away from our iftar yesterday. Such intimidatory tactics are deeply disappointing. They not only violate basic norms of diplomatic conduct and civilised behaviour, they are counter-productive for our bilateral relations”, he said.
Pakistani dignitaries invited included Pakistani President Arif Alvi, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and the Senate Chairman and the Speaker of the National Assembly.
Bisaria also said that people had come from Lahore and Karachi to attend the event and thanked them for attending.
Commenting on the incident, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said the harassment of guests at an iftar party was “stupid tit for tat diplomacy”.
“Stupid tit for tat diplomacy. It was stupid when we did it outside the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi & it’s stupid when it’s done outside our’s in Islamabad. Now that it’s 1-1 perhaps it’s time to move on & stop this nonsense,” Omar wrote on Twitter.
A journalist said that he saw more than usual security presence but those having invitation cards and identity documents were allowed to attend.
“My invitation card was checked and I was asked questions about profession and residence, and allowed to go in,” he said.
“Unprecedented level of harassment at @serena_hotels Islamabad. #India embassy iftaar happening & police & anti terrorism force misbehaving with anyone trying into get in the hotel. Got screamed at, my drivermabused. Sorry, not being an entitled prick. This was genuine harassment,” tweeted noted journalist Mehreen Zahra-Malik.
Another journalist, on condition of anonymity, told PTI that he did not attend as he feared about questioning and security checks.
He also said that there were reports that some invitees were called by anonymous callers and told not to attend the event. Senior Pakistan People’s Party leader Farhatullah Babar said that every gaze deflected towards odd visitors in hotel’s lobby.
“Came to Serena for iftar hosted by Indian HC. Hotel seems barricaded. Told that iftar cancelled. When insisted, I was told to use other gate. Other gate also closed and told to go back to front gate again. What’s going on, something fishy,” he tweeted.