Pak message over anthem disprect conveyed to Kabul: Afghan chargé d’Affairs

Afghan chargé d’Affairs Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb has said Pakistan and Afghanistan have deep-rooted ties and Kabul wants to take these ties to new heights.

Talking to the media, he said Islamabad’s message over the national anthem was convoyed to Kabul.

He clarified that the Afghan diplomates explained their position on the issue.

A viral video showed Consul General of Afghanistan Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir and another official of the Afghanistan consulate remaining seated during the national anthem Eid Miladun Nabi conference in Peshawar on Tuesday.

Pakistan lodged a strong protest with the Afghanistan interim government by summoning its chargé d’affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the reprehensible act of disrespect to the country’s national anthem by Peshawar-based Afghanistan diplomats.

The Afghan Chargé d'Affaires told the media that the Consul General said he did not mean to show disrespect to the national anthem. 

He added: " The Afghan Consul General went to the ceremony to promote relations between the two countries.

"His intention was never to insult. He said he did not stand up at the Sirat-ul-Nabis ceremony because of the music.

"The protest letter given by Pakistan has been sent to its capital Kabul.  We want to have deep and close relations with Pakistan." 

Sardar Ahmad said KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had not contacted the Afghan government for negotiations.

He went on: "It would be premature to say anything in this regard.  The Afghanistan government will not allow anyone to go to Pakistan or any other country carry out anti-state activities.

"No Afghan citizen is allowed to go to another country for such acts or facilitate a group.

"It is the order of Amirul Momineen that if anyone is found to be involved in such acts, action will be taken against them. Several such persons have been arrested earlier.

"The Taliban government in Afghanistan does not want unrest in Pakistan.

"We have strictly prohibited everyone from taking any action in any country including Pakistan."

He stressed that there are no talks with TTP through Kabul. He added: "The Afghan authorities support close ties with Pakistan.

"Economy and trade can bring the two countries closer to each other. Unfortunately, the Peshawar Torkham road has been closed for the past month."