MPAs slam disrespect of national anthem

Say Afghan officials not standing violates diplomatic etiquette

PESHAWAR:

The issue of Afghan diplomats not standing in respect for the Pakistan National Anthem during an event in Peshawar has been raised in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

MPAs slammed the Afghan consul general, calling the act a violation of diplomatic protocol. During the session, PML-N's Shehla Bano and Sobia Shahid highlighted the incident, condemning the behavior of Afghan officials for not standing during the national anthem, terming it complete disrespect. They stated that this was not only an insult to the entire nation, but also a humiliation for the chief minister.

The explanation given by the Afghan officials, claiming it was due to the music in the anthem, was deemed as unacceptable. The members pointed out that during the Cricket World Cup in the US, the Afghan team stood in respect for the anthems of other teams, even with music.

"Similarly, during the India-Afghanistan match in India, there was no protest against India's anthem," one of the MPAs pointed out. It was stated that the issue seems limited to the Pakistan anthem.

The members criticised the CM's handling of the situation, accusing him of incompetence for repeating the Afghan Consulate's explanation instead of lodging a protest.

They argued that this incident damaged Pakistan's international image. The members demanded that the Foreign Ministry protest this disrespect for the national anthem and ensure that only civilised individuals are appointed in diplomatic roles in Pakistan.

House ready to move SC

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has completed preparations to approach the Supreme Court against the federal government's constitutional amendments.

The petition will be filed next week. K-P Law Minister Aftab Alam stated that the federal government is attempting to create parallel courts through constitutional amendments, which will not be allowed. While addressing the K-P Assembly, Alam said that the sanctity of parliament was violated by the arrests of PTI members in opposition to the constitutional amendments.

"This was not just an attack on PTI members, but an assault on the constitution, democratic system, and the voice of 250 million people," he said. The law minister expressed disappointment with the behavior of the NA speaker and declared that they would fight till the very end.

He added that the PTI government was toppled in a crude manner, referencing the arrest of PTI leader on May 9 from the premises of the high court. "On that day, ordinary citizens protested."