ISLAMABAD, Thursday, May 22, 2025 (WNP):Pakistan on Wednesday declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad persona non grata, ordering the official to leave the country within 24 hours over activities deemed inconsistent with diplomatic norms.
According to a statement from the Foreign Office, the Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and formally informed of the decision. The expulsion comes amid rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbors, with Islamabad urging New Delhi to ensure that its diplomatic staff uphold the decorum of their status and avoid misuse of privileges.
“The Government of Pakistan expects all members of the Indian High Commission to adhere strictly to their diplomatic roles and avoid any activity that contravenes their status,” the statement read.
In a related development, Pakistan also responded strongly to recent comments made by former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton in an interview with Indian media. Bolton had commented on Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks regarding Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, addressing the matter, described Bolton’s comments as “ironic,” highlighting that they were triggered by inflammatory rhetoric from a leader associated with a “Hindu extremist organization.”
“It is deeply troubling that India’s nuclear arsenal is under the influence of individuals like Rajnath Singh, whose record of hostility towards Pakistan and Muslims is well-documented,” the spokesperson stated.
He added that the international community should be more concerned about the growing radicalization within India’s political and media landscape. “This radicalization, combined with frequent incidents of nuclear material theft and illicit trafficking within India, points to glaring gaps in its nuclear security regime,” he said.
Reaffirming Islamabad’s confidence in its own nuclear safeguards, the spokesperson said Pakistan maintains a strong and comprehensive nuclear security framework backed by robust command and control mechanisms.
“The global community must take serious note of the security risks posed by India’s reckless leadership and the persistent vulnerabilities in its nuclear infrastructure,” he concluded.
