India accuses Pakistan of harassing guests

Indian diplomats in Islamabad complained yesterday that Pakistan security officials had hassled guests invited to a Ramadan fast-breaking meal at a top hotel, going so far as to confiscate mobile phones and remove the vehicles of those attending. “Guests faced unprecedented harassment and intimidation at the hands of security agencies,” the Indian High Commission said in a statement.

It said security officials had carried out a “concerted campaign” in the days leading up to the event to try to dissuade invited guests from attending an iftar, or fast-breaking meal, at the Serena hotel. “Those guests who did reach the function venue, in some cases from places as far as Lahore and Karachi, were intimidated and physically stopped from attending,” the high commission said.

“In some cases, cars used by invitees were lifted and removed using forklifts.” The high commission said more than 300 guests were turned away, including parliamentarians, diplomats, business people and members of the media. “Some officials were jostled, pushed, abused and aggressively threatened with bodily harm.

In some cases mobile phones belonging to officials were snatched away,” it said. “We have requested the government of Pakistan to urgently investigate these ugly events and share the results of the exercise with the High Commission of India.”