Pakistan declares Indian diplomat ‘persona non grata’, asks to leave country within 24 hours

Earlier, the Government of India on Tuesday declared a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi ‘persona non grata’ for engaging in activities incompatible with his diplomatic status.

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, MAY 14 (STC):
Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad ‘persona non grata’, citing involvement in activities incompatible with their official status, says a report.
The decision comes after the Government of India on Tuesday declared a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi ‘persona non grata’ for engaging in activities incompatible with his diplomatic status. The official was also asked to leave the country within 24 hours.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post on X, wrote, “… The government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours.”
“The Indian Charge d’Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today for demarche, conveying the decision,” the post added.
Notably, persona non grata is a Latin term meaning “unwelcome person.” In everyday use, it refers to someone who is no longer accepted or welcome within a specific group, setting, or country.
In international diplomacy, declaring someone persona non grata is a formal way for a country to expel a foreign official, typically for actions deemed inappropriate or hostile to the host nation’s interests.
(Inputs from agencies)