India downgrades Pakistan to ‘no school-going mission’

[illusion8]

ISLAMABAD: More than 60 schoolchildren of Indian diplomatic staff would not resume their classes from next quarter under a recent decision New Delhi has taken for multiple reasons, official sources told Daily Times.

The Indian government has declared Pakistan a “No School-Going Mission,” asking the staff members of the Indian High Commission (IHC) to either return or send their school going children back to India.

The campuses are closed owing to summer vacation, and the sources confirmed the young Indian nationals would not attend the school when they open next month. The decision has sent shockwaves to Pakistani diplomatic circles, which fear it would further strain the already strained relations between the two South Asian neighbours.

The decision by the Indian authorities would compel many staffers of the IHC, in Islamabad, to return for the sake of the education of their children. In case they wish to continue to serve the IHC, they must send their children back to India.

Sources said the IHC had already communicated the decision to Pakistan’s Foreign Office and the school authorities. Both the Foreign Office and the school authorities requested the Indian government to review the decision, but it refused.

Around 50 children of the IHC staff members were enrolled in the International School of Islamabad (ISOI), popularly known as American School. The school is one of the two education institutions where the Indian government allows the IHC staff members to get their children enrolled for education. The school is famous for accommodating the children of foreign nationals residing in Pakistan. Most of diplomats serving in Islamabad have their children attend the same school.

Around 10 children of the IHC staff members are enrolled in Roots International School.

One of the major concerns of the Indian government was the security of their young nationals. After a horrendous attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014, the Indian authorities were planning to declare Pakistan a “No School-Going Mission”. Under this criterion the diplomatic staff is not allowed to make their school-going children stay with them. The spouses are allowed to stay, but it generally becomes rather difficult for the parents to stay away from their children.

It is worth mentioning that ISOI maintains foolproof security measures. “The school looks like a fortress and pays for its own private security. Besides, the Islamabad police are very vigilant around the premises. Yet you cannot ignore the risk factor,” observed a diplomat requesting anonymity.

Another reason that forced the Indian government to make such a harsh decision was restriction on the free movement of the Indian students. Sources said whenever the school administration planned a trip outside Islamabad the Indian students have to seek prior approval from the Pakistani Foreign Office. Sometimes the approval is granted and sometimes it isn’t.

Sources said that American diplomats tried to woo their Indian counterparts to press their government to review the decision. However, they failed to impress upon them.

A Pakistani diplomat feared the Pakistani students whose parents work in Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi might face the similar situation in India.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/25-Jul-16/india-downgrades-pakistan-to-no-school-going-mission

 

[unbiasedopinion]

A Pakistani diplomat feared the Pakistani students whose parents work in Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi might face the similar situation in India.

They might face the similar situation based on tit-a-tat policy of Pakistani government if then end up doing the same by passing the similar posture rather than based on ground realities.

 

[4GTejasBVR]

Lol Pakistan diplomats will have to return their kids to Pakistan for education! After tit for tat action by Pakistan

 

[Indika]

Another reason that forced the Indian government to make such a harsh decision was restriction on the free movement of the Indian students. Sources said whenever the school administration planned a trip outside Islamabad the Indian students have to seek prior approval from the Pakistani Foreign Office. Sometimes the approval is granted and sometimes it isn’t.

Restrictions on school children looks ridiculous.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Restrictions on school children looks ridiculous.

It is for their safety

They are vulnerable to terror attacks or worse-- KIDNAPPING

 

[jha]

This decision should have been taken after APS attack.

 

[Vapnope]

I think its pretty fair. I don't see why this should be criticized. The only problem will be that children will be away from their family which might effect their performance.

 

[Nilgiri]

I think its pretty fair. I don't see why this should be criticized. The only problem will be that children will be away from their family which might effect their performance.

Its really up to the parents to decide to return to India and be replaced with other IFS officers who dont have kids.

IFS will assign these parents other positions in other countries most likely or domestic positions.

 

[Hiptullha]

This decision should have been taken after APS attack.

Unfortunate that it had to be taken at this moment in time, eh? When there's turmoil in Kashmir and Bharat wants to send Pakistan a message. Goes to show the thought process in the Indian govt.

It is for their safety

They are vulnerable to terror attacks or worse-- KIDNAPPING

When such action is taken, there is usually a precedent for it. When the US or any country issues no-go warnings to its citizens or pulls out diplomats, it's usually because of instability in a country or of course tension between two countries. Now, some smart-*** Bharati might wander up and tell me about the terror attacks which have taken place in Pakistan as reason for this. Though you'd expect such action would be taken right after the terror attack. Which leads to the possibility that Bharat is doing this because of the Pakistani position on Kashmir. Having used their cricket trump card, it seems they've hopped onto barring Indian diplomats kids from going to school.

 

[ito]

Now we can expect tit for tat reaction from Pakistan.

I think its pretty fair. I don't see why this should be criticized. The only problem will be that children will be away from their family which might effect their performance.

The OP also say that Parents are free to move with the children meaning decreased personnel at Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

 

[jha]

Unfortunate that it had to be taken at this moment in time, eh? When there's turmoil in Kashmir and Bharat wants to send Pakistan a message. Goes to show the thought process in the Indian govt.



When such action is taken, there is usually a precedent for it. When the US or any country issues no-go warnings to its citizens or pulls out diplomats, it's usually because of instability in a country or of course tension between two countries. Now, some smart-*** Bharati might wander up and tell me about the terror attacks which have taken place in Pakistan as reason for this. Though you'd expect such action would be taken right after the terror attack. Which leads to the possibility that Bharat is doing this because of the Pakistani position on Kashmir. Having used their cricket trump card, it seems they've hopped onto barring Indian diplomats kids from going to school.

Yes.. Its unfortunate that those kids had to be in harm's way for so long. Good decision by Modi Govt.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Unfortunate that it had to be taken at this moment in time, eh? When there's turmoil in Kashmir and Bharat wants to send Pakistan a message. Goes to show the thought process in the Indian govt.



When such action is taken, there is usually a precedent for it. When the US or any country issues no-go warnings to its citizens or pulls out diplomats, it's usually because of instability in a country or of course tension between two countries. Now, some smart-*** Bharati might wander up and tell me about the terror attacks which have taken place in Pakistan as reason for this. Though you'd expect such action would be taken right after the terror attack. Which leads to the possibility that Bharat is doing this because of the Pakistani position on Kashmir. Having used their cricket trump card, it seems they've hopped onto barring Indian diplomats kids from going to school.

We dont trust your government

There must be an imminent intelligence alert about a threat

 

[Vapnope]

The OP also say that Parents are free to move with the children meaning decreased personnel at Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

Technically they are not free. Who would like to stay away from their children. A tough situation for them. I hope something good comes out of it for parents and their children both.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Man, I think we all realized that after you folks imprisoned a pigeon under the assumption it was an ISI spy.

We are talking of Humans ; not piegons

Why take risk with children ; when we know that there are THOUSANDS of people
in Pakistan willing and ready to kill Indians

About terrorism it is said that
" We the security forces have to be lucky ALL the time
Terrorists have to be lucky only once "

 

[Nilgiri]

Unfortunate that it had to be taken at this moment in time, eh? When there's turmoil in Kashmir and Bharat wants to send Pakistan a message. Goes to show the thought process in the Indian govt.

Its only a "message" if Pakistan chooses to receive it as such.

Especially in view of things like this:

https://defence.pk/threads/6-children-kidnapped-in-last-30-hours-from-lahore.440881/