Afghan diplomats spark controversy by disrespecting Pakistan's national anthem

ISLAMABAD:

Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, caused outrage on Tuesday during the Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference in Peshawar by remaining seated during Pakistan’s national anthem, flouting diplomatic protocols and showing what experts have called “utter disregard” for the host nation.

The conference, hosted by Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, saw Afghan consular officials in attendance. However, as the national anthem played, Shakir and his colleague remained in their seats, a move widely condemned as a breach of diplomatic decorum.

"By not respecting the national anthem, the Afghan Consul General has shown blatant disrespect to Pakistan and its people. This is an extraordinary incident and contrary to the very essence of diplomatic conduct," said a political analyst, adding that such behaviour would be deemed unacceptable in any civilised society.

Calls for action against diplomatic misconduct

Experts have called for Shakir to be declared persona non grata and expelled from the country. They also criticised the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government for extending the invitation to an individual who displayed no regard for Pakistan’s dignity or international protocol.

"The foreign ministry should take immediate notice of this incident and issue a formal démarche against the violation of diplomatic norms," an expert suggested.

Strained relations with Afghanistan

The incident comes at a time when relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain fraught, particularly since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. While there were hopes that the historic ties between the two nations would improve under the new regime, tensions have only escalated.

Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harbouring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been responsible for a surge in terrorist attacks across Pakistan. Despite repeated requests from Islamabad to tackle the TTP threat, the Taliban administration in Kabul has remained reluctant to take action.

"The Afghan Taliban have urged Pakistan to find a political solution to the TTP problem. Pakistan did engage in talks at their request, but those negotiations allowed the TTP to regroup," a security expert said. "Since November 2022, after the change of command in Pakistan’s military, the country decided there would be no further negotiations with terrorist groups."

The decision has worsened ties, leading to an increase in attacks in Pakistan, further straining relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Diplomatic fallout

The actions of Consul General Shakir may add further strain to an already fragile relationship. Many are now calling for a formal response from Pakistan’s foreign ministry, with some suggesting that such diplomatic disrespect cannot be ignored.

"The onus is now on Pakistan to take firm diplomatic action. This behaviour undermines the basic courtesies expected between nations, especially at official gatherings," a government official said.

As tensions between the two nations persist, such incidents may only serve to deepen the existing rift.

K-P govt reacts

Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has addressed the issue of Afghan diplomats not standing for Pakistan’s national anthem during the Seerat-un-Nabi Conference, held in Peshawar.

Speaking to the media, Barrister Saif said, "The Afghan diplomats did not stand during the national anthem, and I have been in contact with them regarding this incident."

He further emphasised that the appropriate course of action would be for the diplomats to respond directly. "We have informed them of the situation, and they will issue their stance tomorrow," Barrister Saif added.

"Until then, it would be best to wait for their official response from the Afghan consulate," he stated, urging patience.

Barrister Saif also highlighted the diplomatic nature of the situation, saying, "They are diplomats, and it would be inappropriate for the provincial government to issue any statement on their behalf."

"We do not wish to criticise them, as they hold diplomatic positions," he noted, while acknowledging that their actions were not acceptable. "However, it is better that they provide their own explanation, and we should wait until tomorrow for that response," he concluded.

‘Reprehensible act’

In response to media queries regarding the disrespect of national anthem by the Acting Consul General of Afghansitan at an event in Peshawar, the spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch made the following remarks:

“The disrespect of host country’s national anthem is against diplomatic norms. 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.”

Baloch also said that the Afghan Chargé d'Affaires was summoned by foreign office. Pakistan lodged strong protest with Afghan Chargé d'Affaires, she added.

Vawda blames PTI, Gandapur

Meanwhile, Senator Faisal Vawda has held the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, responsible for the Afghan Consul General's failure to stand in respect of the national anthem.

Commenting on the incident in Peshawar, Senator Vawda stated, "The disgraceful actions of the PTI chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have brought shame to the country. PTI is on a path to destabilise the nation for the sake of retaining power."

Residing illegally?

The Afghan Consul General, who disrespected Pakistan’s national anthem earlier in the day, has been found to be residing illegally in the country, according to sources.

It has been confirmed that Shakir lacks valid documents, including an Afghan passport or any other legal paperwork.

Sources revealed that Shakir and his family returned to Afghanistan in 2015 after receiving dollars and rations from UNHCR under the Proof of Registration (PoR) card scheme, which has since expired.

As of September 1, Shakir and all Afghan refugees are residing illegally in Pakistan, as the Ministry of Interior has not granted any further extension to their stay.

‘Due to music’

The Afghan Consulate in Peshawar has defended the actions of its Acting Consul General, Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir. The spokesperson for the consulate clarified that the decision was due to the presence of music in the anthem.

In an official statement, the spokesperson said, “There was no intention to disrespect or demean Pakistan’s national anthem. The Consul General did not stand because of the music in the anthem.”

The consulate also noted that Afghan authorities have imposed a ban on the use of music in their own national anthem. "Had the anthem been presented without music or by children, the Consul General would have stood and placed his hand on his chest," the spokesperson added.

Dismissing any claims of disrespect, the consulate firmly stated, “The idea of disrespecting Pakistan or its national anthem is out of the question.”