Federal ministers and the national security adviser on Wednesday criticised the Indian government for denying permission to foreign journalists based in New Delhi to visit Pakistan, saying the space for independent journalism and free speech was “shrinking” in India.

Taking to Twitter, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain and National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf slammed the Narendra Modi-led Indian government for their decision.

New Delhi on Tuesday declined the request of a group of five foreign journalist who wanted to visit Islamabad through Wagah border, saying the border crossing was virtually closed due to the coronavirus, reported The Times of India.

According to the Indian media, the border was closed for all categories of travelers “except diplomats and some others”.

In his tweet, Qureshi slammed India for being a “dictatorial regime” where the space for free speech and independent journalism was shrinking.

Condemning the decision of the neighbouring country, Fawad said the journalists were supposed to attend the session of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on August 5.

Yusuf termed the Indian government’s action “insecure”.