Pakistan Expels Indian Diplomat in Retaliation Over Espionage Allegations
In a tit-for-tat diplomatic move, Pakistan on Thursday expelled a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, a day after India ousted a Pakistani diplomat over alleged espionage.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the expelled Indian official was declared persona non grata and ordered to leave the country within 24 hours. The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the ministry to formally convey the decision.
The Pakistani Foreign Office accused the Indian official of engaging in activities “inconsistent with his privileged diplomatic status,” and warned that no member of the Indian High Commission should misuse their immunity or position.
This latest escalation follows India’s expulsion of a Pakistani staffer from its High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday, also on charges of espionage. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the Pakistani official was found involved in activities incompatible with his diplomatic role and was similarly ordered to leave India within 24 hours.
Just last week, on May 13, India expelled another Pakistani official over similar allegations—marking this as the second such incident within days.
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have been on the rise following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack earlier this month, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals.
In the aftermath, India conducted precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during the early hours of May 7. Pakistan reportedly attempted retaliatory strikes on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10, to which India responded forcefully.
Hostilities were eventually halted following high-level military talks on May 10 between the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMO) from both sides.
Despite the de-escalation of direct conflict, diplomatic tensions remain high, with both nations accusing each other of espionage and violating international diplomatic protocols.