Pakistan

Pakistan lodges protest over Afghanistan's detention of consulate official

FO says an official of the Pakistan Consulate General at Kandahar ‘was forcibly taken away and kept in detention'

Web Desk July 03, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned Afghanistan’s ambassador in Islamabad to the foreign ministry and lodged a formal protest over the detention of an official of Pakistan Consulate General at Kandahar by Afghan authorities.

An official of the Pakistan Consulate General at Kandahar ‘was forcibly taken away and kept in detention,’ according to the Foreign Office.

“As a result of the strenuous efforts made by the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul and the ministry, the detained official was handed over to the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul late last evening,” the Foreign Office said, in a statement.

Read: Border tension: Afghanistan summons Pakistan’s ambassador

Further, Pakistan expressed concern over unprovoked firing by Afghan Border Police at Angoor Adda gate on Pakistan side in which two security personnel were injured.

“It was emphasised that in view of close and brotherly relations existing between the two countries, which have significantly enhanced recently, such incidents should not have taken place,” it added.

The Afghan ambassador assured that he would convey Pakistan’s concerns to the higher authorities in Kabul.

On Thursday, Afghanistan summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul, Abrar Hussain, to the foreign ministry and lodged a formal protest over the recent cross-border shelling.

Pakistan and Afghan officials have confirmed the exchange of firing late Tuesday that caused casualties on both sides of the border.

Read: Cross-border fire from Afghanistan injures two

According to the Pakistan Army a “rocket and few rounds of small arms were fired on Angoor Adda [South Waziristan] gate from Afghan side due to which two security personnel were injured”.

“Pakistani troops responded and targeted positions from where fire was coming,” a statement issued by the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Wednesday.

Afghan foreign ministry’s spokesman, Siddiq Siddiqi, said that an Afghan border police commander was killed in the shelling. He also claimed that “Pakistani forces had been involved in illegal construction on the Afghan side.” However, the Pakistani military spokesman had denied the charges.

COMMENTS (3)

Raj - USA | 9 years ago | Reply Instead of trying to bring in China and pushing in China to off-set Indian and Iranian influence in Afghanistan, Pakistan should work with Afghanistan, India and Iran and of course US, to bring benefits to all four countries. I have said in my comments recently, that Pakistan trying to bring in and push in China will not be liked by Afghans. They may have some compulsions now. But China is not liked by any muslim country in the world for what it has been doing to muslims and Turkey has shown resentment on China and China and Turkey had exchanged spat recently. China is not going to change its attitude or actions on muslims because it will show China as a weak power and China thinks they are a powerful force. China is a misfit here and Pakistan is pursuing misdeeds. If Pakistan thinks that by pushing in China it can push out India and if China thinks that by siding with Pakistan and throwing its weight behind Pakistan it can make Pakistan have more influence in Afghanistan and also wield more influence there, both are totally mistaken. The goodwill that India has created in all sections of Afghan population cannot be taken away by anyone, even USA, let alone China and least of all Pakistan. It is only through this goodwill that India can bring peace and reconciliation amongst all groups in Afghanistan. It will bring peace and prosperity in the region but Pakistan cannot become more influential than India, even with China's support.

Rex Minor | 9 years ago | Reply It was emphasised that in view of close and brotherly relations existing between the two countries, which have significantly enhanced recently, such incidents should not have taken place. Pakistan army operation in the no mans tribal land on the Afghan border is neither brotherly nor friendly and should be understood by the army and the civilian leadership. The colonials understood it and so should the Pakistanis. Rex Minor

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