New Delhi: Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over its diplomats here allegedly not being allowed to withdraw their salaries, which are paid in US dollars, by a bank in India.
Pakistan asserted that the act of not allowing its officials to withdraw their salaries was in breach of the Vienna Protocol and said it would consider retaliatory action for Indian diplomats in Pakistan if the matter is not resolved soon.
The Pakistan High Commission pays salaries through RBL Bank, a private Indian bank.
“We are not allowed to withdraw our own [salaries]. It is not a demonetisation issue. It appears that it is done more at the instructions of the Indian government,” a senior Pakistan High Commission said.
While there was no official reaction to Pakistan’s protest from the Indian side, officials here maintained that the matter was between the bank and the Pakistan High Commission and stressed that the government had no role to play in the matter.
Diplomats can draw their tax-free salaries in dollars and only have to give a reason for them withdrawing more that $5,000 (Dh18,365).
According to Pakistan High Commission officials, they were not being allowed to withdraw their salaries and had been asked for ‘letters of purpose’ for withdrawal of any amount in dollars.
Incidentally, demonetisation has led to a sharp spike in demand for dollars and other foreign currency, making it scarce.
