New Delhi: In what appears to be a tit-for-tat measure by Pakistan after its pilgrims were denied visas by India to visit Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan, it has virtually expelled two Indian journalists by deciding not to renew their visas.
Both journalists, Snehesh Alex Philip of PTI and Meena Menon of The Hindu are stationed in Islamabad and have been ordered to leave the country by May 20.
India said it would take up the matter with the Pakistan government while terming the decision a “retrograde step”.
Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said on Wednesday that it is “regrettable and unfortunate that the two Indian correspondents in Pakistan have been asked to leave prematurely and suddenly only a few months after their arrival there”.
The two Indian journalists had been in Pakistan for barely nine months.
Both received similar letters late on Tuesday night from the external publicity wing of the Pakistan information ministry telling them that an unnamed “competent authority” had decided against any extension of their visas.
No reason was cited for the Pak government’s decision which comes even as India waits for a new government to take charge at the Centre.
Incidentally, Mr Philip’s wife who came to India in January for a brief visit was denied a visa since to return to Pakistan. India had denied visas to 500 Pak pilgrims headed for Ajmer Sharif earlier this month saying that it was in the midst of general elections and the decision to cancel the visit was to ensure their safety.
The spokesperson, when asked if the expulsion was related to the ongoing debate in Pakistan about the media and the differences between differentorgans of state on freedom of media, said, “We are surprised that there have been numerous allegations against India in the ongoing controversy in Pakistan on media freedom and the different views of Pakistan institutions.”
He further said that the stationing of journalists and free-flow of information is an important confidence-building measure and should be safeguarded by all concerned.
PTI quoted its editor-in-chief and CEO M.K. Razdan as saying, “We have been given no notice, no reason and no rationale for this virtual expulsion by the Pakistan government that keeps affirming that they want improved relations with India.”
An understanding was reached between India and Pakistan during the 1970s according to which two journalists from both the countries could be posted in the other country. While PTI and The Hindu have regularly had correspondents in Pakistan, there have been no Pakistani correspondents posted in India for some time.
Last year, Pakistan had expelled The New York Times correspondent Declan Walsh at short notice without citing any reason.
