NEW DELHI – Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria’s applicationfor membership to the elite ‘Islamabad Club’ has been put ‘on hold’, Indiatoday 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 onhold. Ajaylink>Bisariawhotook over in December 2017 had applied soon after his arrival. But, theIndian mission in Islamabad has still not heard from the Club authorities.

The Islamabad Club, according to reports, has denied the reports sayingthat they await “political clearance” and that the request was underprocess.

“The club needs NOC (No Objection Certificate) by the Ministry of Interiorto grant membership.” said an official of the club according to a PakistaniDaily. “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 isreportedly not renewing the membership of other Indian diplomats as well,as per the report.