The Pakistan Foreign Office on Sunday rejected the appointment of Indian diplomat Jayant Khobragade as charge d'affaires in Islamabad by denying him visa.He was to replace the current Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia.Pakistan contended that if the mission has been downsized to half the strength then why is India trying to send such a senior official.Jayant Khobragade, who served as a counsellor in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad some years ago, has also held assignments in Russia, Kazakhstan and Spain, and was ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic between 2013 and 2017.India has said it can send whoever it wishes to in any Indian mission.Khobragade was proposed for the position in June when India had scaled down diplomatic ties with Pakistan, seeking to reduce mission strength by 50 per cent.The Indian side said it's not for Pakistan to dictate the appointment of Indian diplomats.Acts of reciprocity have become the new norm between India and Pakistan.The Indian government is expected to respond with reciprocal action in due course.Responding to media queries regarding the visa matter of the senior Indian diplomat, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson said that leaking misleading information and twisting facts is not only contrary to diplomatic norms but is also not helpful in the conduct of diplomatic relations.The spokesperson said in a press release: "It may be recalled that following India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Pakistan took a number of steps, including the downgrading of diplomatic relations with India.

The purpose of downgrading the relations was to register Pakistan's strong protest and condemnation of India's illegal, inhuman and unacceptable actions in IIOJK.""Pakistan believes that by proposing a senior diplomat, who has already served as Ambassador in another post, India is trying to circumvent the effect of downgrading of diplomatic relations, which is obviously not in line with Pakistan's decision.

However, keeping in view the diplomatic norms, Pakistan has counselled India to nominate an officer with seniority commensurate with Pakistan's decision of downgrading the diplomatic relations.""As for the veiled threats in Indian media reports that the issue of grant of assignment visa to Mr.

Khobragade will "further destabilize" India-Pakistan relations, it must be clear that the relations between India and Pakistan are inextricably linked to the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions," the press release said.It further said, "A just and lasting solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is critical for durable peace and stability in South Asia.

Accordingly, India is once again reminded of its international obligations with regard to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

India must listen to the voices of the Kashmiri people and the world community."READ | Reduce embassy staff by 50% in 7 days: India downgrades its diplomatic ties with Pakistan | Unrealistic: Pakistan rejects India's demand for Queen's counsel to represent Kulbhushan JadhavALSO WATCH | Pakistan terror outfits drop weapons via drones to supply in Kashmir