Pakistan government has asked two Indian journalists to leave the country by next week.

New Delhi, May 14/Nationalturk – With pollsters predicting rightwing Hindu party BJP to form new government in India, Pakistan government has asked two Indian journalists to leave the country by next week.

Media reports said Snehesh Alex Phillip of Indian wire news agency Press Trust of India and Meena Menon of Indian newspaper Hindu were told late last night by Pakistani officials to leave the country.

The duo has been told that their visas have not been renewed and they should leave the country by May 20.

Both the journalists have been discharging their professional duty in Pakistan since August last year.

“Their visas were valid till March this year. They were informed in writing by Pakistani officials that their application for renewal was being processed. But last night they were told that their visas have not been renewed and they should leave the country,” sources said.

India and Pakistan have a reciprocal arrangement of allowing two journalists from each country to be stationed in the other’s capital.

Indian govt will take up issue with Pakistan

Sources said Indian government will take up the matter with Pakistan government.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it has not been informed about the development either by the Pakistan government in Islamabad or by its High Commission in Delhi.

“No reason has been given by Pakistan for asking the two journalists to leave the country by May 20,” it said.

The Pakistani government decision not to extend visas of Indian journalists comes two days before counting of votes for Indian parliament. According to exit polls, Indian rightwing Hindu party BJP is all set to form next government in India with support of its allies.

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