Snehesh Alex Philip of the Press Trust of India and Meena Menon of The Hindu were officially asked to leave the country by 20 May. PHOTO: FILE
Snehesh Alex Philip of the Press Trust of India and Meena Menon of The Hindu were officially asked to leave the country by 20 May.
The PTI correspondent confirmed to The Express Tribune that he and his other Indian colleague had received a letter from the Pakistani government stating that their visas were only valid till May 20, 2014.
“No reason was given for the decision,” Snehesh added.
However, a senior foreign office official disclosed that the Indian journalists were asked to leave after their activities were found ‘incompatible to their professional mandate.’
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not provide any further explanation.
However, the official made it clear that Pakistan would stick to the bilateral agreement under which the two countries have a reciprocal arrangement of allowing two correspondents from each country to be stationed in the other’s capital, hinting at the possibility that Pakistan may accept their replacements.
The official complained that India was not showing any respect to the bilateral agreements particularly recent denial of visas to 500 Pakistani pilgrims intending to travel to Ajmer Sharif.
“They have not even provided counselor access to our truck driver,” the official added, suggesting that the expulsion may also be part of a larger diplomatic row.
However, he said despite India’s disregard to such bilateral arrangements, Pakistan was ready to issue visas to replace the ‘expelled’ journalists.
“We are willing to hasten visas for their replacements,” he added.
India calls journalists' expulsion a 'retrograde step'
Meanwhile, in a strong reaction, India termed as "regrettable and unfortunate" the expulsion of the two Indian correspondents in Pakistan and said not allowing independent journalists to function was a "retrograde step".
Asserting that free flow of information between India and Pakistan has long been recognised as an important confidence building measure, the Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson said this confidence building measure (CBM) should be safeguarded by all concerned.
"It is regrettable and unfortunate that the two Indian correspondents in Pakistan have been asked to leave prematurely and suddenly only a few months after their arrival there.”
"Not allowing independent journalists to function is a retrograde step especially as free flow of information between India and Pakistan has long been recognised as an important confidence building measure," the spokesperson said.
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Dear india! Freedom of speach and press, that is the reason India does not allow any pakistani tv channel there. Shame
@Polpot If frienship is the criteria I and only I qualify,….just read my postings on ET. ET pls support my candidature.
You have my small hearted support
Thank you Pakistan for not shooting at our Journalists like you consistently do to yours
"Pakistan has refused to extend visas of two Indian journalists based in Islamabad for their alleged ‘unfriendly activities,’ " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If frienship is the criteria I and only I qualify,....just read my postings on ET. ET pls support my candidature.
Pakistan has refused to extend visas of two Indian journalists based in Islamabad for their alleged ‘unfriendly activities,’ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ All over the world jouranalists are expected to be objective and professional and honest. Obviously Pakistan is different. Here friendhsip particluarly with a certain Insitution ( ET u r guessing it wrong!) is most important. PS Veena Malik is an insitution.
"“We are willing to hasten visas for their replacements,” he added." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And then 3 months later also cancel them ! Keeps everyone busy!
So much for the press freedom in India; The world’s largest democracy India, remains one of the most restrictive places for the press.
In a report published Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based nonprofit, ranked India 140th out of 180 countries surveyed for the free speech it affords the media. This was a one-point jump from the country’s 2013 ranking, when it recorded its steepest fall on the annual-list since 2002.
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/02/12/india-among-the-worlds-worst-for-press-freedom/
@humayun it's not about not bothering coz they enjoy free visa and visa on arrival at many countries. Even if they had that for all countries of world it would still want to have journos in pak and visa versa. As neighbours you want to know whats happenings in our neighbourhood and how it affects us. @gaurav your comment makes no sense. Journalist and freedom of press is universally recognised rights by world organisation you can't curb it. Comparing that to religious tourism canceled due to on going election security is comparing oranges with apples. Cancelation of pilgrims to Pakistan can be a tit for tat not this. This is strategic move to remove people who showed true picture of whats happening there be attack on press incident, blasphemy law of desecration of temples to india via indian newspapers.
The two journalists should return to India where they will have better opportunities and not be subjected to censorship, cajoling/threats from Pakistanis who have no clue of what freedom of the press and of expression means. Both journalists are not likely to miss anything in a country where journalism is under constant attack and where objective report is an unknown commodity, as many international media organizations have openly stated. The Indian Government should also expel all Pakistani journalists, many of whom are suspected to be working hand-in-glove with the ISI. No visas should be given to Pakistani citizens wanting to visit India -- be it actors (most of whom can't find jobs in their own country -- we don't want any ISI agents (under the guise of "journalists"),cricketers, actors, etc. A message should be sent to Pakistan that their action will fetch a counter-action that will, eventually, harm that country more than India. .
Maybe the journalists got too close to unearthing the truth regarding some persons who are not supposed to be living under Pakistan's patronage.
This is another example of total lack of journalistic freedom in Pakistan.
Diplomatic tit for tat - India won't give visa to pilgrims citing no/flimsy reason and Pakistan retaliates in kind. Just another day at work for the Foreign office of both countries.
I am sure the indians won't regret the refusal for extention in pakistani visa. In my experience, they enjoy easy visa / arrival visas in so many countries espcially south east asian countries. Working as an expat, it is a great disadvantage espcially where travelling at short notice is required.
poor paranoid pakistanis...!!!
"However, he said despite India’s disregard to such bilateral arrangements, Pakistan was ready to issue visas to replace the ‘expelled’ journalists."
Journalists to replace expelled journalists.......
Who may be acceptable to Pakistan ?????
Aakar Patel, Seema Mustafa, Kuldip Nayar ???
Patel is showing signs of reform on issues now. Mustafa is quiet on issues and Nayar makes no sense on issues. So, none may be acceptable / desirable to Pakistan.