PESHAWAR/Islamabad – Afghanistan closed on Tuesday its Consulate in Peshawar over alleged harassment of its diplomatic staff.
“We have closed the Consulate because of mistreatment of some diplomats in Peshawar on Tuesday morning by security personnel,” Afghan Embassy sources in Islamabad said.
They said the Embassy has lodged a protest with the Foreign Ministry and the security forces.
The move came as Pakistan was set to introduce border management system at Torkham from June 1 (today). Officials said that Pakistan will not allow Afghans to enter Pakistan without travel documents.
According to a private TV channel, Afghanistan closed the consulate after the Afghan consul general’s vehicle was checked at a security checkpost in the Cantt area of Peshawar. Afghan officials said the consulate will remain closed for an indefinite amount of time.
Security officials stated the vehicle was not following the specified protocol for official and diplomatic vehicles, hence it was stopped was a security check.
“I have come to know of the incident, and we will issue an official statement after obtaining all the relevant information from the concerned quarters,” said Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria while speaking to the TV channel.
Pakistan yesterday said it was committed to peace in Afghanistan and believed this goal could be achieved through dialogue.
In a meeting here with Deputy Secretary, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Ric Wells in Islamabad, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi said Pakistan was making sincere efforts for reconciliation towards Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, said an official statement.
Fatemi expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Australia. He stressed that trade and economic ties should be further strengthened to the mutual benefit of the two countries.
He said the use of force had not worked in Afghanistan for the last 15 years and would not be helpful in bringing about a lasting peace in that country.
The SAPM briefed the Australian special representative on the prime minister’s vision of peace for development and peaceful neighbourhood.
He emphasised Pakistan was committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan, as a stable and economically developed Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s vital interest. Pakistan has made sincere efforts for reconciliation towards Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
“The use of force has not worked in Afghanistan for the last 15 years and will not be helpful in bringing about a lasting peace in that country,” he added.
Ric Wells expressed Australia’s interest in enhancing relations with Pakistan in diverse fields. He said both Pakistan and Australia would discuss ways and means to expand economic relations in the sixth round of Joint Trade Committee meeting, being held in Islamabad today (Wednesday). He appreciated Pakistan’s role in reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.http://nation.com.pk/national/01-Jun-2016/kabul-shuts-peshawar-consulate-over-harassment
Comments are closed.