DHAKA: Pakistan has requested Bangladesh to withdraw its senior diplomat who is appointed in its high commission in Islamabad without mentioning any reason.

Bangladesh and Pakistan are currently having a strained diplomatic relation following the latter’s unwanted interference on trial of war criminals  and the withdrawal of a "terror-linked" diplomat from Dhaka.

Amid this tension, Pakistan government has asked to withdraw Moushumi Rahman, the political counselor of Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, within 48 hours.

The Bangladeshi High Commissioner Sohrab Hossain informed the foreign ministry about the Pakistan’s move, Bangladesh foreign service sources have confirmed matter.

The sources further said that Pakistan has taken this step as counter action for recent withdrawal of its 2nd secretary of high commission in Bangladesh. They asked Bangladesh to take its diplomat to retaliate Farina Arshad, the ‘terror-linked" diplomat.

The foreign ministry sources further said that Bangladesh will not bring Moushumi Rahman back to Dhaka; instead, she would be transferred to the Bangladesh mission of Portugal.

She will fly for Lisbon before the given time of 48 hours.

BDST: 1241 HRS, JAN 06, 2016
AIK/RS/RR