New Delhi apologises over Pakistani diplomat's mistreatment
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ISLAMABAD: In a telephone call to the Pakistani Foreign Office on Tuesday, India's foreign secretary apologised to his Islamabad counterpart over the mistreatment of a Pakistani diplomat in New Delhi, diplomatic sources told DawnNews.
Pakistan's First Secretary (Trade) Zargam Raza and his driver Haider were beaten up by a group of men while the former was returning home from the High Commission Monday evening.
High Commission spokesman Manzoor Ali Memon told journalists in Dehli on Monday that two men on a motorbike hurled abuses at the diplomat. When Mr Raza objected, he was thrashed by some men. Both first secretary and his driver suffered serious injuries, the FO spokesman had said.
On Tuesday, the Indian foreign secretary called his Pakistani counterpart, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, and apologised for the treatment meted out to the Pakistani official in New Delhi.
Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani conveyed Pakistan's concerns to the Indian secretary over the mistreatment of it's diplomat in Delhi.
According to sources, the Indian foreign secretary assured Islamabad that a thorough investigation of the incident would be carried out by Indian authorities. The secretary also assured that security for Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi would be tightened to ensure any such incidents do not recur in the future.
One of the suspects involved in the incident has been taken into custody by Indian authorities, said the Indian foreign secretary.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (74) Closed
Jun 04, 2013 03:52pm
well done Indian Public, well done for showing your true colours but on the other hand I also congratulate the Govt for apologizing.
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Jun 04, 2013 04:07pm
Incomplete recording.
This is a case of road rage. The diplomat Syed Zirgham Raza
was returning to his Vasant Vihar residence in his official
vehicle, driven by by his consulate driver Haider Zaman when
his car collided with a two-wheeler near JNU new campus in
south Delhi. It was a minor incident and there was no damage
or injury to any party. But the woman Roshni riding pillion
and her nephew allegedly entered into an argument with the
driver, which led to a minor brawl. The driver and Roshni
sustained minor bruises. Raza also received a bruise when he
intervened in the matter. Both parties went for medical
examination. There were no "group of men" involved. There has
been no major damages.
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Jun 04, 2013 04:39pm
Pretty primitive stuff....
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Jun 04, 2013 04:57pm
Refering for Viena convention and so called strong protest for a road accident , may be due to wrong driving by either side shows the undlplomatic approach by Pak officials. Diplomat appears to be wrongly getting benefit for his immunity otherwise beating by a women should not have been highlighted to this extant.
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Jun 04, 2013 05:40pm
Its sad that a pakistani diplomat or for that matter any diplomat underwent such an incident.
I am glad that Indian offiicials responded responsibly and apologised for the issue.
As and Indian .. sorry for the incident
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Jun 04, 2013 06:19pm
Thanks for the apology and the reassurance regarding security. This is rather a sensitive issue and should have been dealt with at high levels immediately after the incident occurred. Otherwise both sides have addressed it maturely.
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Jun 04, 2013 06:25pm
DAWN NEWS
please get your facts right before publishing an story
diplomat's car had an accident with a guy and a lady travelling with him
The said guy stopped that car and had heated arguments with the driver of diplomat's car
Seeing this diplomat got out of car and jumped in arguments, which later turned in to fight
That guy punched diplomat and there was some small brawl.. soon enough delhi police reached that spot and took the said guy to police station.
It was not like they were attacked by two guys.
This line: Pakistan's First Secretary (Trade) Zargam Raza and his driver Haider were beaten up by a group of men while the former was returning home from the High Commission Monday evening.
is untrue and gives an perception of some murky things happening.
Not good journalism.
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Jun 04, 2013 06:59pm
I'm shocked that the indian government doesn't provide "ANY" kind of security to foreign diplomats in their country???
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Jun 04, 2013 07:03pm
As per Indian newspapers, it was a case of road rage gone wrong. The car hit a motorcycle being ridden by a man and his aunt. One of the newspaper is twisting fact. Are newspapers of the reputation of Dawn and Times Of India there to give news as it happens or its there to twist facts?
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Jun 04, 2013 07:05pm
@pakistanis should be treated the same way-its time to throw the rest of pakistanis from bollywood as well
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Jun 04, 2013 07:19pm
Dawn should be ashamed of printing this twisted story. It was a minor case of road rage and has nothing to do with India Pakistan issues.
True face of Pakistani media and its diplomats.
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Jun 04, 2013 07:24pm
@A Kashmiri:
Judging the whole nation by just one incident shows the bias seated in one's heart. The fact is that it was the Paki driver who actually caused the accident, minor or otherwise, which resulted in the scuffle and simply because he happened a diplomat's driver should not immune him from facing consequences of his actions. On the other hand, the true colors of Pakistan and its people are well known all over the world. No need to discuss specifics.
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Jun 04, 2013 08:16pm
Foreign Diplomats are honored and sacred guests of the host country and as such it is the duty of the host country to protect and respect them under all circumstances. The disagreements with the Diplomat's country must not decrease that respect or protection.
It is a blot of shame on India brought on by some stupid Indians.
I am glad to see that the Indian Government did the right thing in apologizing to the Pakistani Government. Now they must find the culprits and treat them harshly under the law.
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Jun 04, 2013 08:19pm
A brawl turned into diplomatic apology. If the Indian Govt. was going to take an apologetic step anyway - the public should have thrashed the diplomat at their convenience..
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Jun 04, 2013 08:20pm
@raj:
That would leave the bollywood movies with hardly any good singers and worn out cast lol,
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Jun 04, 2013 08:24pm
I don't think the people of both countries have any reason to start calling each other names over something this meager,it sure would be nice to hear some positive comments from both sides for a change if we plan to have better relations,it needs to start with us,the public.We all know ain't one better then the other so stop the "I'm better then you nonsense"
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Jun 04, 2013 08:25pm
@a: You are right .... In future all Pakistani diplomats on Indian roads should be escorted.
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Jun 04, 2013 08:58pm
@Manoj:
Of course your papers are right and truthful..
Dude, the vehicle has diplomatic plates, the enreged crowds knew they were Pakistanis.
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Jun 04, 2013 09:01pm
@Satish:
Again you are referencing what you saw in your papers, Which are not balanced and often sensationalize everything. It was not just two men on motor bikes according to your FO and police report by standers also got involved. More like 10 to 1.
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Jun 04, 2013 09:00pm
@Ashok Pandey:
Sir, thank you and you are a true gentleman.
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Jun 04, 2013 09:00pm
@USM Bish:
You were an eye witness? or repeating TOI verbatim?
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Jun 04, 2013 09:02pm
@A Kashmiri:
Yes sir, they got three but always showing "red". That could be pretty consuming..
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Jun 04, 2013 09:25pm
They got minor bruises not Major.The driver hit the biker..This sort of scuffle is a common thing happening anywhere in the world.This is a BIASED news by dawn.com
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Jun 04, 2013 09:45pm
@A Pakistani:
This seems to be a freak accident that happened between the car and a motor cycle. I agree has been taken care of by both nations.
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Jun 04, 2013 09:47pm
@A Kashmiri:
ha ha ha.........Janab aap ki tabiyat theek nahi...aaram le get well soon ...wish from India
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Jun 04, 2013 09:56pm
There was accident between Diplomat car & bike. Nearby crowed rushed to spot & as usual blamed car driver for the accident. after confrontation, they beat up car driver and diplomat as well when he tried to intervene.blamed car.
It was just case of road rage conflict which is not uncommon in the parts of India (and I am sure in Pakistan as well) Please do not add conspiracy theory in this.
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Jun 04, 2013 09:57pm
Where is the "Amn Ki Asha" now sahme on you india try doing this to a chinese diplomat or your owners russia your country may never be called a civilized nation you guys are yet to be "tamed" demolishing Babri mosque was a joyful occasion how about demolishing taj mahal it was also built by Muslim emperor you would not do that because your nation lives on it's income shame on you india countless times.
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Jun 04, 2013 10:17pm
In any road , the right of way goes to pedestrian and then to the lesser vehicle. Given this, the diplomat's car driver should have apologized to the bike driver and diffused the situation. Even if this didn't happen, there was no reason for a person of diplomat status to intervene in such petty issues. It shows the stature of the person.
Its high level of maturity on the part of Indian government to apologize for a situation which resulted due to the petty nature of the concerned parties.
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Jun 04, 2013 11:14pm
@A Kashmiri:
Do Road Rage don't happen in Pakistan ?
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Jun 04, 2013 11:20pm
I sincerely hope coincidently Indian diplomat in Pakistan is not mistreated. That would be a sign of maturity.
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Jun 04, 2013 11:26pm
@Tariq Mehsud:
Owners Russia?? If not for our billions of dollars of investment, Russia would be in an economic turmoil. Please learn some truth before posting hate comments and its uprising that it was not moderated by DAWN.
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Jun 04, 2013 11:34pm
@A Kashmiri:
I think you showed earlier....
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Jun 04, 2013 11:55pm
@Mohammed:
well nobody considers india a great nation too....and please start counting the biased comments posted about this incident by indians !
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Jun 05, 2013 12:20am
Indians are really really clever folks and I must appreciate it... this dude like several of his counterparts in many parts in the world from various countries on these useless posts often leave their compounds for intel gathering, spy hiring and other covert operations under the guise of being officers responsible for perhaps education etc. case in point malala's papa is sitting as education attache in bradford, he has nothing to do anything in foreign service, but he'd be on army's payroll or he just as the matter of fact is.
now the Indians will provide security to them everywhere and their bodyguards will be wearing all kinds of surveillance devices to monitor him and others going anywhere...
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Jun 05, 2013 12:23am
@Vaidhya:
he was coming from the wrong side dude... accept your mistake or Drama played for better surveillance of pakis (promised tightened security) there in India...
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Jun 05, 2013 12:23am
Keepers of Osama should see their face in mirror. Shameless country and shameless people.
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Jun 05, 2013 12:27am
@Pankaj:
lol, not anywhere in the world and most certainly not in the capital of Pakistan... come see yourself...
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Jun 05, 2013 12:47am
@Tariq Mehsud:
Tajmahal was not built by a Muslim, It was built by Indian artisans. Use your brain, If Mughuls were that capable why they could not build Taj Mahal or Qutub Minar in lands from where they came. ON the other hand, there were many historical buildings which are considered an engineering marvel even today that were built in present day India before the Mughul era.. See the Hawa Mehal, Several forts in Rajasthan, Many temples in South india.
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Jun 05, 2013 01:03am
A storm in a tea cup! What happens when a Govt Minister, Indian or Pakistani, gets out of his car and slaps the traffic controlling cop? Hanji!!!
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Jun 05, 2013 01:04am
@Tariq Mehsud:
from what I read, the issue was an altercation between common pedestrians and the vehicle. so no question of pak/china here. About Taj-Babri masjid, the masjid was on/close to a hindu sacred place whereas Taj is not. I am sure you would agree Taj is not the only tourist income to India. Try arguing reasonably and people will respect your point of view.
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Jun 05, 2013 01:20am
@Vaidhya:
Vaidhya is showing the same ignorant attitude and hatered towards Pakistan that most Indians show regularly... so we cant really blame her for her comment! Pakistani diplomat gets BEATEN in public by the Indians in broad daylight and she's here commenting on the diplomat's personality. WOW. This speaks volumes about the Indian society and its hatered of Pakistan on one hand, and infatuation on the other(They cant stop talking about Pakistan). Great comment Vaidhya!
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Jun 05, 2013 01:31am
@pathanoo:Oh yeh ? why dont u catch hafeez said etc n punish them harshly so that india can learn from you ?
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Jun 05, 2013 01:41am
The day Pakistani and Indian people will understand that hating other country is not patriotism, we will live in better region.
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Jun 05, 2013 01:47am
True colors, 2 vs mob ........... we all know from history of our parents and grand parents living with them and 1947 ......
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Jun 05, 2013 01:57am
@Haider:
So what is your source of information ? We all know from media only. If Indian media is biased, we can also say samething about your FO personnel for overplaying the incident to get diplomatic mileage. The injuries are minor that belies your claim of being beaten by 'mob'. India has acted responsibly by arresting the alleged culprits, slapped relevant sections under Indian laws, offered apologies. The matter should be closed. I am 100% sure if same would have happened to Indian staffer in Pakistan, nothing would have happened.
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Jun 05, 2013 02:05am
@Haider:
If your staff finds it appropriate to roam about freely in India with their identity markers, which include Diplomatic number plates, they find it safe. The point is they dont face any threat being Pakistani consular staff and the incident has nothing to do with India Pakistan relations. It was all spontaneous. Much worse has happened to Indian diplomats in Pakistan in the past.
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Jun 05, 2013 02:10am
The fact that the issue started after the Pakistani High Commission's car hit a bike carrying two passengers is completely ignored in this article. !
Selective Reporting ?
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Jun 05, 2013 02:19am
@Haider:
You can either conclude that the diplomat was hit because he was Pakistani. Or you can conclude that he was hit because he acted elitist. Hitting a two wheeler and not even getting out to check if those people on the two wheeler were fine or not.
Ask yourself, if any car hits a two-wheeler on a Pakistani road and shows casual indifference, would you not be angry as a passer by?
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Jun 05, 2013 02:30am
@A Kashmiri:
I dont think you know the whole story. The diplomats car hit a two wheeler and the lady sitting pillion fell down. The diplomat and the driver did not get out of the car and hence the crowd grew hostile. I would imagine this would have happened if it were any person who showed an 'elitist-air' of 'I dont care'. Had he got out like a normal person and shown concern about the person's well-being, I think, none of this would have happened.
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Jun 05, 2013 02:55am
I don't believe that it won't happen again. It HAS happened in the past twice to our diplomatic staff and this is the third incident that came to light. This is simply shameful for any nation to not protect diplomatic staff of other countries.
Also this treatment is only meted out to Pakistan High Commission staff. I don't think these thugs can thrash the staff of any other powerful countries surrounding India no matter how low the existing bilateral relations. If they try having a road brawl with other diplomatic staff people the results might just surprise them!!! Our leaders need to wake up and drop the mantra of Aman Ki Asha!!
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Jun 05, 2013 04:24am
@Vaidhya:
I think you did not read the facts the motorcycle driver was going teh wrong way.
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Jun 05, 2013 04:25am
@Tariq Mehsud:
Now that Nawaz Sharif has announced he wants friendly relations with india, we will see events created from across the border to undermine the effort .
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Jun 05, 2013 04:27am
@Manoj:
TOI is a respecrted newspaper, LOL
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Jun 05, 2013 05:18am
@Vaidhya:
I don't thiink your opinion is correct
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Jun 05, 2013 05:25am
India is more civilized. They know when to apologize. Pakistan will never apologize. Pakistan will say something like "show us the evidence" and let it drag on to infinity...
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Jun 05, 2013 05:24am
@Tariq Mehsud:
Thanks for vomiting your hatred on us. I thought it was a good gesture from the Indian government to apologise, which is apparently the most hardest thing to do for people in the sub-continent (includes you too).
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Jun 05, 2013 05:29am
@A Kashmiri:
You will find such miscreants everywhere. I would be surprised if such people are not there in the your community.
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Jun 05, 2013 05:35am
Apologies from India. India still being a developing country (euphemism for 3rd world), whenever there is a road accident, it is settled by a minor fight and if a crowd gathers, it can become dangerous sometimes. Generally if a four wheeler is involved, its occupants are roughed up and so on. There is no concept of calling the cops or calling your insurance or whatever. These are parts and parcels of a living in India.
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Jun 05, 2013 05:52am
@Tariq Mehsud:
I understand your emotion and bashing. What happened is sad and should not have happened.
Having said that, please note that nation called India does not live on income from Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of many muslim architectures India has proudly and carefully maintained over the years.
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Jun 05, 2013 06:35am
If the article highlights the culture of backwardness in Hindustan, the comments simply confirm how depraved these Hindustanis actually are.
Most of the Brahmins posting have tried to wish this away as if it were simply a road rage accident, whereas quite clearly it was an embarrassment - not only of the government, which clearly lacks the ability of a civilised nation to look after diplomatic personnel, but also of the people who have once again shown Hindustan to be a lawless, primitive wasteland fuelled entirely on bigoted hatred.
We should respond by finding any and all Hindustanis in Pakistan - whether they be diplomats, guests or even tourists - and beating them publicly for the nation to enjoy on TV. After all, we're not talking about Chinese or European lives, which have some significance; they're Hindustanis, and they'll only ever put up a fight when their opponent is defenceless. It'll be a sound lesson for them, just like 1965.
Hasan
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Jun 05, 2013 07:32am
@Tariq Mehsud:
Tariq Mehsud,
you are correct in saying that Taj Mahal was built by the order of a Muslim ruler , but you don't know that it was built by free Hindu labour and by the Jazia which Hindus had to pay to the king for being dhmmies ie , second class citizens.Many of those Hindus were the ancestors of the present day Pakistani Muslims. It is a fact of history which is not told to Pakistani students.
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Jun 05, 2013 08:41am
@Vaidhya:
and so its okay to beat 'em up. How civilized! I bet you'd say the same if the Indian diplomat was beaten up in Pakistan
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Jun 05, 2013 08:43am
why is it so hard for indians to acknowledge that their people can also sink very low.
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Jun 05, 2013 08:46am
@Tariq Mehsud:
Your hatred for Indians is quite evident from every sentense you wrote.I just don't understand how could you blame Government of India for a incident that happened with the negligence of the driver of Pakistani diplomate's car.I would not blame Pakistan or pakistani diplomate,becouse neither pakistan or its diplomate had any thing to do with this unfortunate accident.So stop using insults while writing about India becouse by using insulting language you just show your immaturity.Ok Just stop india bashing becouse India is not in league with countries like Pakistan or China.The day Chinese diplomate slap an Indian boy trying to cross the street before their driver could cross the street,believe me some body will beat the crap out of him too.
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Jun 05, 2013 09:07am
@Vaidhya:
Get your facts straight. Diplomats and their vehicles/convoy always have priority. You are nothing but a typical biased hater. People like you should be discarded from roots to make this world a better place.
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Jun 05, 2013 11:35am
The driver of the diplomat was a Pakistani. How come he got the license to drive in india. Had the driver been indian this problem should not have happened. The Indian govt has apologized for an act of a common man what else is needed here. should they hang the guy who assaulted the diplomat ? Pakistan is unnecessarily blowing this up to gain some moral points. Remember Sarabjith was the first person assaulted and nobody had apologized for that.
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Jun 05, 2013 11:36am
@raj:
Then you agree the way Australian treat us (Indian) in Australia?
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Jun 05, 2013 11:38am
As an Indian I am ashamed. Sorry Pakistan
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Jun 05, 2013 01:35pm
An unfortunate incident for any person. However with many comments regarding Security to Diplomatic Staff by host country, I do not seem to recall seeing even Ambassadors provided with a Police or other Security escort when they travel by car on Delhi roads. I wonder if someone can enlighten us on the normal practice in India or Pakistan. Is a First Secretary provided an escort or security officer when traveling from home to office and back, or out shopping with his family?
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Jun 05, 2013 02:15pm
@Tariq Mehsud:
My Nation could have live also with Nalanda, Taxila and 1000s of Hindu Temples which Your Emperors destroyed. Don't cry like baby for a single illegal babri
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Jun 05, 2013 02:17pm
@pathanoo:
When Road accidents occur, there are no single culprit.
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Jun 05, 2013 02:19pm
@a:
We provide them a Ambassador Car. isn't that enough ;-)
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Jun 05, 2013 04:12pm
@Ajay:
please quote an example of Indian staff being mistreated in Pakistan ???
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Jun 05, 2013 05:54pm
@Raza:
I think we DO need Aman ki Asha , and not hatred to get over this kind of paranoia. To see the kind of unfortunate thing that is unavoidable, look at the incident of Amit Mitra, Finance Minister of West Bengal, being man-handled on April 8th this year by a crowd in Delhi and even the presence of Police could not protect him. (Let me assure you he was neither a Pakistani, nor a Muslim!) And for the record, in June 2011, French President Sarkozy was manhandled and slammed against a metal fence in France while he was President of the country! So, let us not make a mountain of a mole-hill.
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