Road accident: Pak summons Indian Dy High Commissioner

True to the familiar script in India-- Pakistan ties, a road accident, which India calls a “traffic incident” has become a diplomatic incident for the neighbour. HT reports.

True to the familiar script in India-- Pakistan ties, a road accident, which India calls a “traffic incident” has become a diplomatic incident for the neighbour.

Pakistan foreign office on Tuesday summoned India’s deputy high commissioner in Islamabad over the incident of first Secretary trade in its mission Zirgham Raza and his driver Haider Zaman of being “physically abused” in New Delhi on Monday.

“The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was informed that such incidents are uncalled for, unnecessary and do not augur well for the overall bilateral relations, especially at a time when the leadership of the two countries is desirous of improving and normalizing relations”, Pakistan foreign office said.

HT Image

Foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai also spoke with his Pakistan counterpart over the issue. Mathai informed his counterpart about the “traffic accident and said that any security concerns that they may have about the security of their staff in New Delhi would be addressed”, sources said. Official sources said that

Pakistan maintains the attack was planned and a motorbike was chasing the car of Zirgham Raza, first secretary, trade in the Pakistan High commission. But Indian side finds this narrative out of place as one of the passengers in the bike was a lady. And she getting injured in the accident triggered the commotion.

“The driver of the car bearing a diplomatic number plate had hit a motorcycle at Ber Sarai, near JNU campus. Both the motorcyclist and the woman passenger riding pillion sustained injuries from the fall”, external affairs ministry said here in a statement.

“Subsequently, the driver of the car and the motorcyclist had an altercation and reportedly a scuffle ensued wherein the Pakistan High Commission driver and the diplomat suffered minor injuries”, the MEA explained.