Pakistan expels Indian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move

Amid the existing tensions, Pakistan on Tuesday declared an Indian diplomat persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 24 hours. The move came in response to India’s expulsion of a Pakistani diplomat on Tuesday.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indian diplomat, stationed at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, was involved in activities that violated diplomatic norms.

“The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours,” the Foreign Office stated on X.

The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and handed a formal démarche regarding the decision, the statement added.

India had earlier declared a Pakistani High Commission official in New Delhi persona non grata and ordered his departure within 24 hours.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that another official from the Pakistani High Commission had also been expelled.

The Indian Chargé d’Affaires in Delhi was summoned and issued a protest letter by the Indian government. Indian media reported that the expelled Pakistani diplomat was asked to leave within 24 hours, and a formal note of protest was delivered to the Pakistan High Commission.

These developments follow a series of diplomatic and political frictions between the two countries.

Tensions have surged since the April 22 attack on local tourists in Pahalgam, after which India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and issued several provocative accusations.

In a further blow to bilateral relations, India directed Pakistani diplomatic staff to vacate by April 30, 2025. In response, Pakistan’s National Security Committee imposed restrictions, limiting the number of Indian diplomatic personnel in the country to 30.