ISLAMABAD — Amid strained diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a rude gesture of Afghan consul general Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir further fueled the escalation, and prompted a quick response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The incident occurred at Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference in Peshawar, where Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, the Afghan Consul General remained seated during Pakistan’s national anthem.
Shakir’s ill-mannered gesture was widely condemned as serious breach of diplomatic decorum and an affront to neighboring country. It also raised eyebrows and drawn sharp criticism from political analysts and officials, who view it as a blatant disregard for diplomatic norms.
MoFA spox Mumtaz Zahra also denounced the incident and ministry reportedly lodged a strong protest with Afghan authorities.
Ties between Islamabad and Kabul remained under massive stress as TTP continued to orchestrate attacks under the protection of Afghan Taliban.
