Pakistan condemns arrest of its diplomatic official, terms it 'unsubstantiated'

Pakistan condemned the arrest of Pakistan High Commission employee on 27 October and asserted that charges against its diplomatic official were "false and unsubstantiated".

Denying all accusations, Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit who was summoned by the Ministry of External affairs affirmed that Pakistan strongly opposes the detention of its official.

"We oppose detention and manhandling of Pakistan High Commission staffer. Indian government should ensure that such harassment should not happen. We strongly reject and deny accusations of the Indian government," he said.

Read More: Pakistan High Commission staffer held on spying charges, asked to leave India

Abdul Basit had been summoned by the MEA, where he was questioned about Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar, who worked under him.

Akhtar, who was arrested on charges of alleged spying and theft of Indian defence documents, was released on diplomatic grounds on 27 October. He has been asked to leave India in the face of the espionage charges against him.

During a press conference on Thursday, Joint CP, crime branch New Delhi, Ravindra Yadav, said the spy ring has been operational since the last 18 months.

Read More: Pakistan High Commission employee arrested with Indian defence papers