ISLAMABAD, Oct 24: In a fresh diplomatic row India on Tuesday declared an employee of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi Mohammad Farooq persona non grata, a decision over which Pakistan expressed its regret.

“We regret the Indian government’s decision to declare Mohammad Farooq, a driver of Pakistan High Commission, persona non grata,” Foreign Office spokesperson told Dawn on Tuesday.

Pakistan had earlier condemned what it called “illegal detention and mishandling” of Mr Farooq by the Indian security personnel on Friday evening. On Saturday Pakistan had lodged a strong protest with the Indian government, saying that harassment of Pakistani official was a violation of international conventions as well as the diplomatic norms.

This is the first expulsion of an employee of Pakistan High Commission by India since August 5, 2006 when it declared Pakistan’s political counsellor persona non grata in a tit-for tat expulsion of diplomats.

GAZA: The Foreign Office has also deplored the killing of Palestinians by Israeli fire in a raid on Gaza strip on the Eid day celebrations. “We deplore the killing of Palestinians in Gaza,” the spokesperson said.—Q.A.