Pakistan Rejects Indian Charges Against Diplomat

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 25, 2001

Pakistan Rejects Indian Charges Against Diplomat

The Pakistani Government on Monday categorically rejected Indian allegations against Muhammad Sharif Khan, an official of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, accusing him of involvement in procurement of sensitive documents relating to defence, atomic energy, nuclear research, ship design and security of Indian Parliament.

"These absurd Indian allegations represent yet another desperate attempt to implicate Pakistan in the December 13 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament," said a press release of the Foreign Office.

It may be recalled that Sharif was abducted by Indian intelligence operatives on December 22 while shopping in Karol Bagh market of New Delhi, and Indian officials subjected him to severe beating and torture during his five hour long illegal detention, the press release said.

The Government of Pakistan lodged a strong protest with India on December 23 for the brutal treatment meted out to the Pakistani official, and asked for a thorough investigation into the incident.

On Monday afternoon Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi was summoned to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and informed about the Indian government's decision to declare Sharif as person non grata. Sharif has been asked to leave India within seven days.

The Deputy High Commissioner rejected the baseless and concocted Indian allegations against the Pakistani official, the release added.

Pakistan Condemns India Over Illegal Diplomat Detention