Citing unnamed sources, Indian media has reported that New Delhi has told its diplomats in Islamabad that their wards can no longer study in Pakistan schools.
While Indian diplomats posted in Pakistan can’t have their children living with them, spouses will be allowed to stay, say the reports.
While Indian diplomats posted in Pakistan can’t have their children living with them, spouses will be allowed to stay, say the reports.
The reports follow a similar story in Pakistani newspaper Daily Times. “More than 60 schoolchildren of Indian diplomatic staff would not resume their classes from next quarter under a recent decision New Delhi has taken for multiple reasons,” Daily Times reported on Monday.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has, however, clarified that this is a decision made a year ago—in June 2015—which is now being ‘leaked’ by parties with a vested interest further straining the already patchy relations between the two countries.
“It’s 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 in the High Commission of India in Islamabad have been advised to make arrangements for education of their wards outside Pakistan, till further notice,” said MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
According to reports, the ‘no-kids’ policy is being followed by many countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, UN organisations and the European Union.
Leave a Reply