Pakistan summons Afghan envoy after diplomatic breach by Consul General in KP govt event

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has registered protest with Afghanistan government and their Embassy in Pakistan against disrespectful act of Consul General of Afghanistan and termed it reprehensible, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Meanwhile, Foreign Office has summoned Afghan charge de affairs and recorded a strong protest over their Consul General’s violation of diplomatic etiquettes, said the Foreign Office spokesperson.

The Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the disrespect of national anthem by the Consul General of Afghanistan at an event in Peshawar is irresponsible act. The Spokesperson said, “the disrespect of host country’s national anthem is against diplomatic norms”.

This act of Acting Consul General of Afghanistan is reprehensible. “We are conveying our strong protest to the Afghan authorities both in Islamabad and Kabul.”

Afghan Consulate General, who was invited by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to attend Rahmatul Alamin conference in Peshawar, has committed serious diplomatic violations. Afghan Consul General Muhibullah Shakir remained seated during Pakistan’s national anthem which is against diplomatic protocol. Muhibullah Shakir gave impression he has no respect for country’s national anthem.

Meanwhile, sources confirmed that the documents of Afghan official who disrespected the national anthem today are not complete. Mohibullah Shakir does not have an Afghani passport or any other document. On the POR card, he and his family returned to Afghanistan in 2015 with dollars and rations from UNHCR. The POR cards have expired as after September 1 2024, all Afghan refugees are staying illegally.

According to security and diplomatic protocol experts, by not respecting the national anthem, Afghan Council General Mohibullah Shakir gave the impression that he has no respect for Pakistan and the Pakistani nation.

The experts say this is unusual and completely contrary to diplomatic etiquettes, adding that in a civilized society such incivility is not allowed. The experts have demanded of the government to declared him persona no grata and sent back home.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which invited the Afghan Consul General, should also be questioned why it invited such diplomats in a ceremony if he does not care about Pakistan's honor and diplomatic etiquettes.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of Afghan consulate in Peshawar has clarified that Afghan Consul General has not disrespected national anthem intentionally. He clarified that there was no question of insulting Pakistan or her national anthem.

Spokesman claimed that since there was music in Pakistan’s national anthem therefore the Consul General did not stand up.

Consulate said “if this anthem was played without music or performed by children, the Consul General would have stood up and put his hand on his chest.

There was no intention to desecrate and disrespect the Pakistani national anthem, spokesman of Afghan Consulate in Peshawar concluded.