New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) In a tit-for-tat move Pakistan on Thursday expelled a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and asked him to leave the country within 24 hours, declaring him persona non grata.



Pakistan’s move comes a day after India expelled a Pakistani diplomat from New Delhi for indulging in activities not keeping in with his official status. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that India had declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India.



The official was asked to leave the country within 24 hours. Pakistan Charge d’ Affaires was issued a demarche and was asked to strictly ensure that none of the Pakistani diplomats or officials in India misuse their status and privileges in any manner.



A statement by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry on Thursday said Pakistan had declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad persona non grata for ‘’engaging in activities inconsistent with his privileged status.’’



The official has been asked to leave Pakistan within 24 hours.



The Indian Charge d’ Affaires was called to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry and conveyed the decision. It was stressed that none of the diplomats or staff members of the Indian High Commission should ‘’misuse their privileges and status,’’ the statement said.



The expulsions on Wednesday and Thursday se were the second tit-for-tat expulsions during the past 10 days. Both countries had on May 13 expelled a staffer each from their respective High Commissions in each other’s capitals on May 13.



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