ISLAMABAD: Pakistan lodged a strong protest with Afghan authorities on Tuesday over the “disrespectful action” of Afghanistan’s acting consul general in Peshawar towards the national anthem.
“The disrespect of host country’s national anthem is against diplomatic norms,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement.
This time, an Afghan official violated diplomatic tradition by not standing in respect of the Pakistani national anthem during an event in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital.
Afghan Acting Consul General Muhib Ullah Shakil along with his aide was attending the National Rehmat-ul-Lil-Aalamin (PBUH) Conference where all attendees, including KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, stood up from their seats when the national anthem was played.
However, the Afghan diplomat and his aide remained seated during the national anthem which drew Islamabad’s ire.
In a clarification message over the unusual happening, Afghan Consulate Peshawar spokesperson Shahid Ullah said that the consul general’s act was not meant to “disrespect” or “profanation” of the Pakistani anthem.
“Consul general did not stand up due to music in the anthem. We have even banned our own national anthem due to music,” the spokesperson told Geo News.
The diplomat would definitely have stood up and put a hand on his chest if the anthem was presented by children or without music, he added.
Responding to media queries regarding the disrespect of the national anthem by the acting consul general of Afghanistan at an event in Peshawar.
“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.”
Sources told Geo News that the Foreign Office summoned Afghan Charge d’Affaires to register a strong protest over the consul general’s act.
The South Asian nations have had a relationship that blows hot and cold since the Afghan Taliban came into rule which went sour due to recent border clashes and the Kabul administration’s inaction towards terrorist outfits involved in disturbing peace in Pakistan.
