Pakistani citizens visiting India are safe: Indian embassy in Islamabad

Islamabad: Amid incidents targetting Pakistanis in India by Shiv Sena activists, the Indian mission in Islamabad on Thursday said there is no security issue for nationals of this country visiting India and visas were being issued as per routine. [caption id=“attachment_2479000” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] “There is no delay in issuing visas to Pakistanis citizens and our activities are continuing as per routine,” Indian High Commission spokesperson Balbir Singh said. About recent attacks by Shiv Sena, Singh assured that there is no threat to Pakistani citizens visiting India. “It is media hype and the situation on the ground is very different in India,” he was quoted as saying by The Dawn. The paper also quoted a Foreign Office (FO) official as saying that the ministry of foreign affairs was in constant contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. The official said it is important for Pakistani citizens in India to remain in touch with the High Commission due to the recent activities of Shiv Sena. “We are observing the situation and if it remains the same due to the activities of Shiv Sena, the FO may issue a travel advisory for our citizens,” he said. In the latest attacks, Shiv Sena activists stormed Mumbai headquarters of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office, forcing cancellation of a meeting between the cricket chiefs of the two countries. Last week, the Mumbai book launch of Pakistan’s former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri was opposed by Shiv Sena, who smeared ink on Observer Research Foundation’s Sudheendra Kulkarni for hosting the event. Earlier this month, threats from Shiv Sena led to organisers cancelling legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali’s show in Mumbai despite the ruling BJP assuring that the event would not be stopped. PTI