FO summons Afghan chargé d’affaires over ‘harrassment of Pakistani diplomats’ in Kabul – World

The Foreign Ministry called the Afghan business manager in Islamabad on Sunday to protest the "harassment" during the last two days of the staff of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul and its sub-missions.

According to a statement issued by the FO spokesman, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, "serious concerns" were expressed about the safety of diplomatic personnel working at the embassy.

"The Cd & # 39; An Afghan was informed that the officers and staff of the Pakistani Embassy were harassed in the last two days. They were obstructed on the road and the Embassy vehicles were also run over by motorcycles while They were heading towards the Embassy, ​​"he said. the declaration.

Cd & # 39; A recalled the responsibility of the government of Afghanistan, as part of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of 1961, to guarantee "security, protection and freedom of movement for all members of the Mission."

The CdA was reminded that, being a party to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities of 1961, it is the responsibility of the Government of Afghanistan to guarantee the security and freedom of movement of all members of the Mission. "

He was asked to convey Pakistan's concerns with the Afghan authorities and urge them to "immediately investigate these security violations and incidents of harassment."

It was also requested that a report on this be shared with Pakistan and that measures be taken to avoid the repetition of such incidents in the future.

Later in the day, the Embassy issued a notification indicating its decision to stop operations.

"For security reasons, the Consular Section of the Pakistan Embassy, ​​Kabul will be closed from tomorrow, Monday, November 4, until more information," said the press release.

The incident occurs a few weeks after Afghanistan closed its consulate in Peshawar for an indefinite period to protest the elimination of its national flag from a disputed area known as the Afghan Market.

The FO, in its response, lamented Afghanistan's decision and asked the government to review it. He also rejected the accusations raised by the Afghan government related to the property in dispute.

He explained that the question about the market was between a private citizen and an alleged bank of Afghanistan. He noted that a court had decided the matter in favor of the private citizen in 1998.

“The recent enforcement action by the local administration occurred after the Afghan side of this legal dispute exhausted legal remedies. We reject any comments that throw spray on the judicial process in Pakistan, ”the FO had said.