Afghan envoy summoned to protest 'delay' in handover of SP Dawar's body

'It's is hoped that Afghan authorities will offer full cooperation in ascertaining circumstances of the murder'

Day after calling in twice, Pakistan once again on Thursday summoned the Afghan charge d'affairs to register strong protest over the 'inordinate delay' and manner of return of SP Tahir Khan Dawar's body.

According to a Foreign Office statement, Dawar's body was retrieved after his murder in Afghanistan two days ago with an official Pakistan delegation bringing it back today.

After news of SP Dawar’s murder broke on November 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan's embassy in Kabul contacted Afghan authorities to confirm the news, as well as, to hand over his body.

Pakistan's diplomat in Kabul told the Afghan government to immediately send the mortal remains foregoing routine formalities.

While summoning the Afghan official, written and verbal demarches were also made, which resulted in the visit of an official delegation to Afghanistan.



It is hoped that Afghan authorities will offer full cooperation in ascertaining the circumstances under which the police officer was found murdered in Afghanistan, according to the communique.

"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the Maghfirat of the departed soul," it also reads.

In the wake of the incident, chief military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor wrote on his official Twitter handle, “[The] brutal murder of SP Tahir in Afghanistan is highly condemnable. We have lost a brave police officer.”

Brutal murder of SP Tahir in Afg is highly condemnable. We have lost a brave police officer. His abduction, move to Afg, murder and follow up behaviour of Afg authorities raise questions which indicate involvement or resources more than a terrorist organisation in Afg. (1of2).

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 15, 2018

“His abduction, move to Afghanistan, murder and follow-up behaviour of Afghan authorities raise questions which indicate involvement or resources more than a terrorist organisation in Afghanistan,” he added.

While investigations by Pakistani authorities are in process, we reiterate that Afgan security forces to cooperate in border fencing and bilateral border security coordination to deny use of Afghan territory against Pakistan. (2of2).

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 15, 2018

Moreover, Prime Minister Imran Khan also ordered an inquiry and directed the authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to coordinate with the Islamabad police for the probe.

Have followed the shocking tragedy of the murder of SP Tahir Khan Dawar & ordered KP govt to coordinate with Islamabad police in holding an inquiry immediately. MOS Interior Shahryar Afridi has been tasked to oversee it with an urgency & present the report to me.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 15, 2018

He tasked State Minister for Interior Shaharyar Afridi with overseeing the inquiry.

Afridi told lawmakers that the government would pursue whoever killed SP Dawar. “He twice escaped suicide bombings in recent years,” he said of Dawar.