Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur addressed the recent incident involving the Afghan Consul General at the Rahmatul Alamin conference in Peshawar.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, CM Gandapur explained that the event was Islamic in nature, and they had invited attendees from various Islamic countries.
Regarding the controversy surrounding the Afghan envoy's decision not to stand during Pakistan's national anthem, CM Gandapur stated that it was due to the presence of music in the anthem.
CM Gandapur further mentioned that the Afghan consulate had clarified the matter, confirming that they have no issue with Pakistan's national anthem.
However, the incident has sparked a diplomatic row as the Afghan Consul General Muhibullah Shakir remained seated during Pakistan's national anthem, which is seen as a breach of diplomatic protocol yesterday. Security and diplomatic experts noted that this act by the Afghan Consul General conveyed a lack of respect for Pakistan and its people.
Pakistan's Foreign Office lodged a formal protest with the Afghan government and its embassy in Pakistan, deeming the act reprehensible. The Foreign Office summoned the Afghan chargé d'affaires to record a strong protest against the violation of diplomatic etiquette. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that disrespecting the host country's national anthem is against diplomatic norms and labeled the incident as an irresponsible act. Pakistan has communicated its strong disapproval to Afghan authorities in both Islamabad and Kabul.