ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan decided to close down its mission in Calcutta with effect from midday on April 26. At the same time it told India to close down its Deputy High Commission in Dacca the same date. The Indian Acting High Commissioner was called to the Foreign Office today [April 23] and was given a Note to this effect.

In the Note, the Government of Pakistan said that Pakistan was compelled to take this decision because the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan in Calcutta Mr. Mahdi Masud, contrary to the assurances given by the Indian High Commission here, did not receive due facilities and protection. At his arrival in Calcutta he was harassed and threatened with physical violence. Pakistan has suggested that the personnel of the two missions referred to in the Note and their families should be repatriated under reciprocal arrangements. …

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Karachi,] People’s Republic of China has agreed to ship about 5,000 tons of newsprint to Pakistan to help the Pakistani newspapers tide over their present crisis. Reporting this, highly reliable sources said another consignment of about 300 tons was expected from Kuwait. …

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2021