June 2, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 20,1423

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ISLAMABAD, June 1: The Pakistan government on Saturday condemned what was described as the abduction, unlawful detention and torture of an official of its high commission in New Delhi, Amir Shabbir, by the Indian intelligence operatives on Friday, said a foreign office statement.

It said the government had lodged a strong protest with the Indian government over “the reprehensible action” against Mr Shabbir.

Islamabad called upon New Delhi to take appropriate action against those responsible for the abduction and torture of the official.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has also made a similar charge against Islamabad for alleged unlawful abduction and temporary detention of its mission’s official in Islamabad, Kulwant Singh.

AFP adds: The foreign office spokesman said that the treatment meted out to Mr Shabbir was in violation of the Vienna Convention of 1961 on diplomatic relations as well as the bilateral code of conduct signed between the two countries in 1992.

India said that Kulwant Singh’s “abduction” was part of the “pathological hostility” nurtured by Pakistan against its estranged neighbour.

India’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao said in New Delhi that Kulwant Singh was abducted from near his residence in Islamabad when he was returning home with his son.