Ministry of External Affairs bars two Pakistani diplomats from Jaipur literary festival

New Delhi : The government has prevented two Pakistani diplomats from attending the ongoing Jaipur literary festival. Media reports quoted Union Home Ministry sources, as saying that it was not in favour of allowing the two Pakistani diplomats Manzoor Memon and Naeem Anwar to visit Jaipur on Thursday as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had not given them the requisite approval.

Manzoor Memon heads the media wing of Pakistani High Commission, while Naeem Anwar is Minister (Trade).

According to media reports, the two diplomats had sought permission to visit Jaipur from January 24 to 28 for the festival ten days ago, but no permission was granted until Thursday.

The media reports further said that the Indian Government has confirmed the development, but refrained from giving any reason.

All diplomats need official approval from MEA to travel out of the National Capital Region (NCR), and the final deciding authority is the Home Ministry.