Delegates from about 180 countries are expected to attend the conference in India from November 7 to 12.
Islamabad
: Pakistan on November 4 announced that it will skip an international anti-tobacco conference in India next week amidst -"ongoing tensions-" between the two nations.
Delegates from about 180 countries are expected to attend the biennial conference of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in India from November 7 to 12.
Pakistan's State Minister of Health Sciences Regulation and Coordination, Saira Afzal Tarar, said that Pakistan cannot attend the conference.
-"It is an important meeting on tobacco. As far as Pakistan's participation is concerned, it is not feasible due to ongoing tensions,-" she said.
Today's development came following a spat between the two countries after a staff member of Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi was detained by police for questioning over espionage charges.
The tension intensified after tit-for-tat naming of diplomatic staff for alleged spy work by both sides. The latest incident further increased the tension that started with a militant attack on an Indian army camp in Uri in September.
