Making a fresh dent in India-Pakistan relations, New Delhi has asked its diplomats and other officials to withdraw their children from local schools in Islamabad. The move means India has officially termed Pakistan a “non-family” assignment.
A source said, “What it means is that no Indian official based in Pakistan can have his or her children living with them. Those who seek a posting in Pakistan will have to keep that in mind too.” However, spouses can remain in the country for now.
Confirming the news, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup, said, “It is a normal practice for all countries to review staffing and related policies for their diplomatic missions, including in view of prevailing circumstances at those stations. With effect from this academic session, officials posted at the High Commission of India in Islamabad have been advised to make arrangements for education of their wards outside Pakistan, till further notice.”
Relations between both the countries in question have always remained sour, lacking mutual respect and one with a hovering sense of resentment on both sides. However, the recent killing of Burhan Wani in Kashmir, and Pakistan's open support to the protests in the region, deepened the already existing chill. Pakistan has been encouraging violence in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir over the encounter death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Wani. It continues to do so despite India's curt statements asking it to check its sponsorship of jihadi groups in the Valley.
Pak foreign office spokesperson, Nafees Zakaria said, “This is an informal, internal, administrative arrangement we were informed of two months back. No other considerations were communicated to us.” An Indian source, meanwhile, said India had been considering the move ever since Taliban gunmen broke into a school in Peshawar in 2014 and opened fire, killing more than 130 schoolchildren.
Making matters worse, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued a statement saying he was waiting for the day Kashmir becomes Pakistan's part. He urged Kashmiris to “not forget those in Kashmir who are sacrificing their lives for their movement for freedom. Their movement for freedom cannot be stopped and it will be successful. You are aware of how they are being beaten and killed. All our prayers are with them and we are waiting for the day Kashmir becomes (part of) Pakistan”.
Sharif not only drew flak from India but also from national media who called his statement as “wishful thinking”. A report said that by making such statements, it is challenging the authority of India, and inviting more trouble not only for Pakistan but also for Kashmir.
India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took on the Pakistan PM saying, “The whole of India would like to tell Pakistani PM that the dream of 'Kashmir becoming Pakistan' will not be realized even at the end of eternity.”
She added, “Pakistan’s dirty money, dangerous terrorists and duplicitous state institutions seek to destabilise the Kashmir region.”
Infographic
NO-SCHOOL MISSION
* Indian officials based in Pakistan cannot have their children living with them.
* Spouses, however, can remain in Pakistan for now.
* India has cited security as the reason for the decision.
* Sources said Indian officials can either send their kids back to India or return themselves.
* About 50 children of Indian officials are currently studying in Islamabad's American School.
*Sources say the decision was taken in June 2015.
Quotes
“We are waiting for the day Kashmir becomes (part of) Pakistan”
Nawaz Sharif | Pakistan PM
“The dream of 'Kashmir becoming Pakistan' will not be realized even at the end of eternity”
Sushma Swaraj | India's Foreign Minister
