Published 22:13 IST, September 21st 2020
India summons Pakistan High Commission official over 'forced conversion' of Sikh minor
Taking cognizance of forced conversion of a Sikh girl in Pakistan's Punjab province, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned a Pak High Commission official
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Taking cognizance of forced conversion of a Sikh girl in Pakistan's Punjab province, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior Pakistan High Commission official on Monday. The official was summoned to register India's formal protest agaisnt the act. India has reportedly told Pakistan that this violation of Human Rights is not acceptable.
22-year-old Sikh 'forcibly converted'
A 22-year-old Sikh girl is missing in Pakistan's Punjab province and police have launched a case against an "unknown abductor", according to a media report on Sunday. The incident occurred recently in Attock district's Hassanabdal city, which is home to the famous Gurdwara Panja Sahib -- one of the most sacred sites in Sikhism. According to a report published in Dawn newspaper, the girl stepped out of her house to throw away trash, but never returned.
A case had been registered by Hassanabdal police against an “unknown abductor” on the complaint of the girl’s father under Section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code for kidnapping, abducting or inducing a woman to marry, the report said, quoting Raja Fayyaz-ul-Hassan, the sub-divisional police officer. Sub-Inspector Tahir Iqbal, the spokesman for district police, also said that a case was registered against an “unknown abductor” immediately after the girl’s father filed a complaint.
Pak denies visa to Indian diplomat
On Sunday, Pakistan denied visa to senior diplomat Jayant Khobragade who was set to be appointed as acting head of Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Following India's decision to withdraw the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year, Pakistan had downgraded diplomatic ties by expelling the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad. Pakistan also decided not to send the new envoy it had named to head its mission in New Delhi following India's decision on Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan releases Indian officials
Previously in June, two Indian High Commission staff members in Pakistan were reported to be missing since morning while on official work, as per sources at the Indian High Commission in Pakistan. Pakistan media had reported that the two junior officials have been arrested over the charge of hit-and-run in Islamabad, which had left a person injured, but the officials were allegedly'abducted' and taken into ISI custody. The officials were released after MEA issued a demarche to the Pakistan CDA stating that the responsibility for the safety and security of the concerned diplomatic personnel lay squarely with the Pakistani authorities.
22:13 IST, September 21st 2020