Islamabad: Islamabad will take up with New Delhi the abrupt forced return of some 50 Pakistani students and teachers visiting India as a result of threats by Hindu extremist organisation Shiv Sena, according to the Foreign Office.
The issue will be raised with India through diplomatic channels, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said during weekly media briefing on Thursday. The group was in India at the invitation of Delhi-based NGO Routes2Roots as part of their student “Exchange for Change” Programme.
Indian officials had advised the NGO to send the students back and termed the current situation ‘unfavourable’ for an exchange programme. They escorted the students to the Wagah border amid tight security.
Zakaria said growing incidents of intolerance, extremism and terrorism in India have attracted the world’s attention. “Hindu extremist organisations are involved while the government is watching as a silent spectator,” he said.
Delhi-based NGO Routes2Roots had invited the Pakistani students as part of their student exchange programme.
After the threats, Indian officials advised the NGO to send the students back. They were escorted to the Wagah border amid tight security.
Speaking to Geo News, a student narrated the “ordeal”.
“We were having dinner when our in-charge said we were to head (back) to Pakistan. Everyone was surprised because we were to go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. We truly panicked after (that),” she said.
— Agencies
