Pakistan rejects Afghan consul's explanation for not standing during national anthem

Pakistan has officially rejected Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir's explanation for not standing during the Pakistani national anthem at an event in Peshawar, terming the action a violation of diplomatic norms.

In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesman emphasised that disrespecting the host country's national anthem goes against diplomatic protocol.

"We have lodged a strong protest over this," the spokesman said, adding that the Afghan consul general enjoys diplomatic status in Pakistan and holds a valid visa.

The incident occurred during the Rahmatul-lil-Alameen conference on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal in Peshawar. Unlike the other attendees, the Afghan consul general and his delegation did not stand when the Pakistani national anthem was played.

The Afghan Consulate later issued a clarification, stating that the consul general had no intention to disrespect the national anthem, explaining that his decision not to stand was due to the inclusion of music in the anthem.

Despite this clarification, Pakistan has maintained its stance, rejecting the explanation.

Later, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged an official protest with Afghan authorities in Islamabad and Kabul.

Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch described the incident as a breach of diplomatic norms, stating, "Disrespecting the host country’s national anthem is against diplomatic protocol and is unacceptable."

Amid this diplomatic fallout, reports have emerged that Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir is residing in Pakistan illegally.

Sources claim that Shakir lacks proper documentation, including an Afghan passport, and that he returned to Afghanistan in 2015 under a UNHCR aid scheme, with his refugee status now expired.

As of 1st September, all Afghan refugees, including Shakir, are considered to be residing illegally in Pakistan due to the non-extension of their stay by the Ministry of Interior.

Earlier this week, Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, caused outrage 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.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has come to the defence of Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, who faced criticism for not standing during Pakistan’s national anthem at a recent event.

Speaking at a ceremony, Gandapur offered an explanation for Shakir’s actions, citing a clarification from the Afghan Consulate.

"The Afghan Consulate has explained that the Consul General did not stand because the anthem included music. The Afghan government has also removed music from their own national anthem," he said.

Instead of condemning the act, the chief minister focused on supporting Shakir, referencing cultural differences.

"There was no disrespect intended," he emphasised.