NEW DELHI, July 25 (Xinhua) -- India has asked its diplomats and other officials working in the High Commission in Pakistan to withdraw their kids from local schools in Islamabad and send them back home, said a foreign ministry spokesman here Monday.
"What it means is that no Indian official based in Pakistan can have his or her children living with them. Those who seek a posting in Pakistan will have to keep that in mind too," the local daily Times of India quoted an official here as saying.
Spouses, however, can remain in Pakistan for now, said the report.
"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," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
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, said the spokesperson.
He added though that the decision had been taken in 2015 to allow officials sufficient time to make alternative arrangements.
India has appealed to Pakistan to strengthen security for Indian officials stationed in Pakistan, after protests erupted over the violent clashes between Indian army and protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"In view of the threats of marches and protests at the high commission of India in Islamabad, we ask the government of Pakistan to ensure full safety and security of the high commission, all its officials and their families in Pakistan," said the Indian government in an earlier statement.
