Pakistani security personnel secure the Islamabad international airport's Rawal Lounge. (File photo)
India will take up with Pakistan the case of two journalists who have been asked to leave the country by next week, reportedly without being given any reason.
Snehesh Alex Phillip of the Press Trust of India and Meena Menon of Hindu were reportedly told late last night that they have to leave Pakistan by May 20. Their visas had not been renewed for two months.
The journalists have been in Pakistan since August. Their visas were valid till March and after that, they were reportedly issued letters informing that their application for renewal was being processed.
Sources say the Indian mission in Pakistan and the foreign ministry were never informed why their visas were not extended.
The move comes just before Friday's national election results, widely expected to bring the BJP, led by Narendra Modi, to power.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has often said he wants to improve ties with India.
India and Pakistan have a reciprocal arrangement of allowing two journalists from each country to be stationed in the other's capital.
Last year, Islamabad expelled a reporter from The New York Times.