Afghan diplomat shot dead by guard at Karachi consulate

Afghan ambassador rules out terror, terms incident a personal dispute

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: A senior Afghan diplomat was killed as a private security guard, deputed inside the consulate building in Karachi's Clifton area, opened fire on Monday.

Police sources said Muhammad Zaki, a senior consulate official, was killed in the gunfire. "Afghan third secretary has been killed in the firing," SSP South was quoted as saying.

Afghan ambassador Zakhilwal confirms killing of an official n firing in Karachi consulate and said the firing "seems to be a criminal act"

— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) February 6, 2017

The police official said private security guard Rahatullah, deputed inside the building, opened fire which killed the Afghan diplomat. He said the guard, who hails from Afghanistan, was taken into custody.

Pakistani MPs, politicians plan trip to Afghanistan

Talking to The Express Tribune, DIG South Azad Khan said, the incident which took place in the consulate's lobby was due to personal enmity.

A Karachi police officer Azad Khan told reporters the guard, Rahatullah, an Afghan national fired at the diplomat, killing him at the scene

— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) February 6, 2017

Meanwhile, heavy contingents of Rangers and police arrived at the scene and cordoned the area for further investigation.

The incident came in wake of several politicians and parliamentarians were planning to visit Kabul in a bid to reduce tensions between the two neighbouring states. Members of the Pak-Afghan parliamentary group asked National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to invite his Afghan counterpart to Pakistan.

Afghan ambassador rules out terror

Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal has ruled out terrorism in the consulate firing.

"It seems to be a personal dispute related criminal act," Zakhilwal told The Express Tribune.

Giving out details, the ambassador said the firing inside Afghan Consulate General in Karachi at around 12:30 pm was "carried out by an Afghan guard inside the compound resulting in fatality of one of our diplomats."