Islamabad Club holding back Indian Ambassador membership: Indian Media

Islamabad Club holding back Indian Ambassador membership: Indian Media

NEW DELHI - Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria's application for membership to the elite 'Islamabad Club' has been put 'on hold', India today has reported citing "security concerns" as the reason for this hold.

This is the first time that an Indian envoy's application has been put on hold. Ajay <link>Bisaria who took over in December 2017 had applied soon after his arrival. But, the Indian mission in Islamabad has still not heard from the Club authorities.

The Islamabad Club, according to reports, has denied the reports saying that they await "political clearance" and that the request was under process.

"The club needs NOC (No Objection Certificate) by the Ministry of Interior to grant membership." said an official of the club according to a Pakistani Daily. "We have not denied Bisaria's request... It is a routine matter," the official added.

The club has not approved the Indian envoy's membership so far and is reportedly not renewing the membership of other Indian diplomats as well, as per the report.