On Tuesday, Pakistan formally expressed its dissatisfaction to Afghan officials regarding what it described as a “disrespectful act” by Afghanistan’s acting consul general in Peshawar towards Pakistan’s national anthem.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch criticized the action as a breach of diplomatic protocol.
During the National Rehmat-ul-Lil-Aalamin (PBUH) Conference, which was attended by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur among others, Afghan Acting Consul General Muhib Ullah Shakil and his aide remained seated while the national anthem was played, unlike other attendees.
In response, Afghan Consulate Peshawar’s spokesperson Shahid Ullah clarified that the consul general’s decision not to stand was not meant to show disrespect towards the Pakistani national anthem.
He explained that the consul general’s reluctance was due to the musical component of the anthem, noting that Afghanistan has similarly restricted its own anthem for this reason.
The spokesperson further mentioned that the consul general would have stood and shown respect if the anthem had been performed by children or without music.
The Pakistani Foreign Office has condemned the incident, with its spokesperson calling the consul general’s actions “regrettable” and confirming that a formal protest has been lodged with both the Afghan embassies in Islamabad and Kabul.
In addition, reports revealed that the Foreign Office summoned the Afghan Charge d’Affaires to address the issue. The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been strained recently due to border disputes and perceived inaction by the Kabul administration on terrorist activities affecting Pakistan.
