Concerned over the safety of its staff in Pakistan in view of the prevailing security situation, India has decided to shorten their tenure to two years from three years and advised them to take precautions during their movements.The decision was taken on Thursday keeping in view “living and security” conditions, sources said.It will be applicable to all personnel currently posted in Islamabad. However, they will have an option of a one-year extension for which a staffer will have to make a request to the Ministry of External Affairs, they said.Diplomats and officials posted before the measure came into effect will also be allowed to opt for a two-year stint, sources said.The decision has been taken after a review of threat perception and security environment in Islamabad in the wake of the rising incidents of terror attacks, including on foreign assets.India plans to eventually make Islamabad a “no children” posting for its diplomats. However, this will be done gradually, sources said.A sizeable number of the current batch of diplomats and officials in Islamabad are expected to leave by early or mid-2009, they said.Diplomats, who have grown up children living separately or those whose kids will not accompany them, will eventually be given preference for posting in Pakistan, the sources said.A number of diplomats and officials posted in Islamabad have already made arrangements to send their children back to India. This happened after security was stepped up at the US-run International School of Islamabad, where children of several Indian diplomats study. The school was briefly closed last month after it received a terrorist threat.
