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Pakistan expels 3 Indian high commission officials

A day after offering to restart stalled talks on bilateral issues, Pakistan today asked three officials of the Indian high commission in Islamabad to leave the country within a week.

A foreign ministry statement said the three officials -- Gopal Chandra Roy, Asit Bran Das and R Sankaranarayanan -- have been declared persona non grata and asked to leave the country by February 27.

The announcement came two days after India expelled three staff members of the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi.

On Friday, New Delhi had said the Pakistani officials were "indulging in activities incompatible with their official status" and asked them to leave India by February 25.

The Pakistani announcement today mimicked India's statement almost to the letter.

"The deputy high commissioner of India in Islamabad was summoned to the foreign office and was informed of this decision. A strong protest was lodged about the undesirable conduct and activities of these officials," it said.

Just yesterday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar had said his country was "honestly and sincerely" prepared for talks with India to restart the peace process between the two countries.

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