Over 100 diplomats to record protest with PM against CDA action

Say officials harassing diplomatic missions; CDA says SC ruling being implemented

ISLAMABAD: Over 100 diplomats have decided to record their protest with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the issue of harassing and transferring of diplomatic missions situated in residential sectors of Islamabad by the officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Dean Rudolf Martin of Diplomatic Core told The News that the example of such harassment could not be found anywhere in the world. He said that even the Pakistan embassy in Argentina is also situated in the residential area. He asked the prime minister to order CDA officials to stop harassing diplomatic missions and give them appropriate time in this regard.

When The News contacted senior officials of CDA, they said notices were being issued in the light of the Supreme Court order on using residential areas for commercial purposes. They said that purpose of this action was to establish rule of law and no diplomatic mission was being teased in violation of code.

During a luncheon party arranged in the honour of outgoing ambassadors of Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Ambassador of Argentina Rudolf Martin said that the officials of CDA were exerting pressure to vacate diplomatic missions and embassies established in the residential areas of Islamabad. He said that if the government provided the sites in Diplomatic Enclave they could shift their missions and embassies there but without giving any suitable time they were ordering the foreign missions to vacate their premises. 

The diplomats of Britain, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, China and several other countries announced that this issue would be brought to the notice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.