Sources said India may also reduce its staff strength in diplomatic missions in Pakistan.
As tension with Pakistan over Kashmir grew, the Indian government today asked all its embassy staff in Islamabad to send their school-going children back to the country for security reasons.
Declaring Pakistan a ‘no school-going mission’, the government asked its Indian High Commission in Islamabad to ensure all the 50-60 children studying in various schools there are sent back.
“It is a normal practice for all countries to review staffing and related policies for their diplomatic missions, including in view of prevailing circumstances at those stations,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a question.
With effect from this academic session, officials posted in the High Commission of India in Islamabad have been advised to make arrangements for education of their wards outside Pakistan till further notice,” he said.
The decision in this connection was taken in June last year to give sufficient time to the mission’s officials to make alternative arrangements for continuing education of their wards.
Pakistani news website Daily Times said around 50 Indian children were enrolled in the International School of Islamabad, popularly known there as the American School.
The decision to withdraw Indian students from Pakistani schools will come into effect from the current academic session.
Sources said India may also reduce its staff strength in diplomatic missions in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has said there is “no chance” of India-Pakistan talks in the current situation.
