NEW DELHI, MAR 16 (DNA) –  New Delhi has asked its diplomats, diplomatic staff and their families to not venture out of the Pakistan capital’s diplomatic enclave unless there is a compelling reason, sources have told The Indian Express.

They have also asked them to use only vehicles with diplomatic number-plates and not to use their private vehicles.

India on Thursday asked Pakistan to ensure “safety and security” of Indian diplomats and their families living in Islamabad. The two sides have been trading charges of harassment and intimidation of diplomats.

Noting that Indian High commission in Islamabad is facing a “litany of issues”, Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that “we have taken them up through established mechanism”.

“We want Pakistan to resolve the issues being faced by our staff and ensure their safety,” he said.

These comments came on a day Pakistan decided to call back its High Commissioner in India Sohail Mahmood for consultations over “harassment” of its diplomatic staff in New Delhi.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said, “Our High Commissioner in New Delhi has been asked to come to Islamabad for consultations.”

He alleged that this “deliberate continuing bullying” was not confined to a single isolated event and “continues unabated despite repeated official protests lodged with the Indian High Commission here, and also with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs at the highest (level).”

“Pakistan will go to any limit to ensure safety of the staff of (its) high commission in India,” he said.