Pak protests over alleged manhandling of staff in Delhi

Pakistan on Saturday lodged a strong protest with India alleging that a driver working in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has been 'illegally' detained and 'manhandled'.

A press release issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office said that 'the government of Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the Indian government over the illegal detention and manhandling of Mahammad Farooq, a driver of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi by the Indian security personnel'.

'The harassment of the Pakistani official is violation of international conventions as well as the diplomatic norms', it said.

This was the first incident involving the staff of both the High Commissions after Pakistan expelled Indian Visa Counsellor Deepak Kaul on August 5 claiming that he was caught redhanded while receiving documents en route to Wagah border to receive his family.

Kaul had said that he was handcuffed and roughly treated during a five-hour detention.

India has expelled a senior Pakistani diplomat in retaliation.

The incident involving the driver comes ahead of the resumption of the Foreign Secretary level talks to review the third round of composite dialogue process. The talks are to be held in New Delhi on November 14 and 15.