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.

• 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.

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