ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) issued a strong condemnation of Mohibullah Shakir, the Acting Consul General of Afghanistan, for not adhering to standard diplomatic protocol and disrespecting national anthem during a ceremony in Peshawar on Tuesday.
The incident occurred when Shakir declined to stand during the playing of Pakistan’s national anthem at the Rahmatul Alameen (PBUH) Conference, which was hosted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
In a statement, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that “disrespecting the national anthem of the host country goes against diplomatic principles,” labeling Shakir’s behavior as “reprehensible and condemnable.”
Read More: Diplomatic Etiquette Breach: Afghan Consul General Disrespects National Anthem in Peshawar
The FO has formally protested to Afghan authorities in both Islamabad and Kabul. Baloch added that the Afghan envoy’s actions represented a clear violation of diplomatic norms and demonstrated a lack of respect for Pakistan’s national customs.
