Afghan diplomats spark controversy

Outrage over consul general disrespecting national anthem

ISLAMABAD:

Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, caused outrage on Tuesday at the Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference 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 Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saw Afghan consular officials in attendance.

However, as the national anthem played, Shakir and his colleagues 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 civilized society.

Meanwhile Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch condemned the Acting Consul General of Afghanistan for disrespecting the host country's national anthem, describing it as a violation of diplomatic norms.

In response to media queries about the Afghan envoy's disrespect towards the national anthem at a Peshawar event, Ms Baloch, stated that a strong protest is being conveyed to Afghan authorities in both Islamabad and Kabul.