(a) whether the Indian consulate building in Karachi has been encroached upon by some unidentified people;
(b) if so, whether the matter has been taken up with the Pak authorities; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
(a) whether the Indian consulate building in Karachi has been encroached upon by some unidentified people;
(b) if so, whether the matter has been taken up with the Pak authorities; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)
(a) Yes. The Government of India property at 63 Clifton, Karachi, was illegally encroached upon, and the trespasser had reportedly cut down trees and initiated some works on the premises.
(b) to (c) The matter of encroachment was immediately taken up with the Government of Pakistan through Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad on October 8, 2003 and Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on October 8 and 13, 2003. A FIR on criminal tresspass was also registered in Karachi. Pakistan Government had informed on October 18, 2003 that the encroachment of the property had been removed, and security guards posted to avoid recurrence of trespassing in the future. This matter has also become the subject of a court case.