FO ‘examines’ alleged abuse of Indian woman at Pakistan High Commission in Delhi – Reuters

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) said on Friday it was looking into the allegation of indecent questioning of a member of its staff with an Indian woman at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi, adding that it had a tolerance zero for misconduct and abuse.

According to India Today, a professor and head of department at the University of the Punjab claimed that a staff member at the high commission asked her uncomfortable questions when she went to apply for a visa.

He asked me why I wasn’t married. How can I live without marriage, what should I do for my sexual desires, the woman said, adding that the official continued to ask her questions despite her attempt to change the subject.

The professor planned to travel to Lahore to give a lecture at a university and photograph monuments. She wrote to India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, asking for the matter to be looked into.

In a statement today, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: We place great importance on proper etiquette and behavior towards all visa and consular applicants.

All our diplomatic staff are subject to strict instructions to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

However, the FO spokesman said he was surprised at the timing of the alleged incident and how it was brought up.

There are strong mechanisms in place for the redress of all public grievances, she added.

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