Protests in Pakistan after Afghan diplomats remain seated during national anthem
We banned our own national anthem because of the music, said Afghan consulate spokesman Photo: Wikipedia
Pakistan on Tuesday strongly protested to Afghan authorities over the disrespect of the country’s national anthem by Afghan diplomats who remained seated when the anthem was played at an event.
The disrespect for the host country’s national anthem is against diplomatic norms, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement.
“This act by the acting Consul General of Afghanistan is condemnable. We convey our strong protest to the Afghan authorities in both Islamabad and Kabul,” she said.
Afghan Consul General Mohibullah Shakir from Peshawar and his deputy remained seated in their seats as the Pakistani national anthem was played during the event held to mark 12th Rabi ul Awal, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
The Afghan diplomats were invited by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prime Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Afghan consulate in Peshawar gave a clarification, stating that there was no intention to disrespect the Pakistani national anthem.
Because the national anthem contained music, the Afghan consul general did not stand while the anthem was being played, he said.
“We have banned our own national anthem because of the music,” said the Afghan consulate spokesman.
The Afghan diplomats would certainly have stood up in respect for the national anthem with their hands on their chests, if it had been played without music. Therefore, the question does not arise of showing any disrespect to the national anthem of the host country, he said.
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First publication: Sep 18, 2024 | 08:12 AM IST