The Indian government barred five Pakistani diplomats and two of their family members from travelling to Kolkata to watch the upcoming World T20 match between the two neighbouring countries.
“Yes, I can confirm that two counsellors, one first secretary, two protocol officers and two family members have been denied permission to travel to Kolkata,” said a senior Pakistani diplomat based in New Delhi. However, no reason was given for the denial of permission, added the diplomat.
The Pakistan’s high commissioner in New Delhi, Abdul Basit, is also awaiting permission to travel to Kolkata, however, so far no such thing has been communicated.
Basit is scheduled to travel on March 18 to watch the T-20 encounter at Eden Gardens on March 19. His application is still under consideration.
Pakistan has expressed disappointment over the decision by Indian government.
Sources further reveal that the Foreign Office is expected to summon the Indian envoy in Islamabad to formally record protest over New Delhi’s decision to bar Pakistani diplomats from travelling to Kolkata.