Amid the tensions between India and Pakistan due to the recent developments in Kashmir, India has asked its diplomats and other officials to remove their kids from from the local schools in Islamabad. They can either send their kids back to India or return themselves, official sources said.
The Times of India reported, "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," an official said. Spouses, however, can remain in Pakistan for now.
India has confirmed Pakistani newspaper reports that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has termed Islamabad a “non-school” posting for Indian diplomats. Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that, “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. 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.” The move was a follow-up decision to a June 2015 official plan.
“Starting with the school attack in Peshawar of December 16, 2014, children have often been perceived as soft targets. So precautionary measures were under consideration for sometime,” the official said.
The Indian government had appealed to Pakistan to strengthen security for Indian officials stationed there after the protests against India in Pakistan over alleged Indian atrocities in 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," the government had said in a statement after Pakistan observed a "black day" and Kashmir's Accession to Pakistan Day.
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