Pakistan Protests Afghan Diplomat's Disrespect During National Anthem
The Afghan consul general in Peshawar remained seated during the Pakistani national anthem, prompting Islamabad to summon Afghanistan’s top diplomat in protest.
Overview
- Pakistani officials reported that Afghan Consul General Mohibullah Shakir did not stand during the national anthem at a government event in Peshawar.
- Islamabad's Foreign Ministry summoned Ahmad Shakib, Afghanistan's chargé d’affaires, to express their strong disapproval of the incident.
- The Afghan Consulate in Peshawar stated that Shakir remained seated because the anthem included music, which is banned under Taliban rule.
- Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained since the Taliban took power in 2021, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of supporting the Pakistani Taliban.
- Pakistan's Foreign Ministry condemned the act as a violation of diplomatic norms and announced plans to convey their protest to Afghan officials in both Islamabad and Kabul.