E-Paper
Indian scribes were barred from Saarc meet venue in Pak
NEW DELHI: Indian journalists, who went to cover the Saarc home ministers’ conference in Islamabad had to face hostile Pakistani officials, who not only denied them
NEW DELHI: Indian journalists, who went to cover the Saarc home ministers’ conference in Islamabad had to face hostile Pakistani officials, who not only denied them access to the inaugural function but also barred them from standing at the entrance of the venue.
The six Indian journalists, who were given visa to travel to Islamabad to cover the event, were flatly refused entry to the function, which was attended by Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif.
The Indian journalists then stood near the entrance of the venue, where Pakistani interior minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan was receiving the visiting dignitaries from Saarc countries.
As Pakistani media took position to capture the moment of home minister Rajnath Singh’s arrival, Indian journalists too joined them. Immediately, Pakistani officials curtly told them to leave the place.
When Pakistani officials asked Indian photo journalists to remove their cameras, a senior Indian diplomat tried to intervene and protested.
The diplomat argued that Indian journalists be allowed to be near the gate to capture Singh’s arrival . The Pakistani officials made it clear that Indian journalists have to leave the place immediately, leading to a verbal duel between the diplomat and a Pakistani official.
