Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned two Taliban diplomats for remaining seated during the playing of Pakistan’s national anthem at a ceremony in Peshawar, calling the act a “violation of diplomatic protocols.”
On Tuesday, Taliban Consul General Muhebullah Shakir and his colleague remained seated during the anthem at an event in Peshawar, causing anger among Pakistani officials.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, expressed strong disapproval of the incident, saying, “We will formally lodge a strong protest with Afghan authorities in both Islamabad and Kabul.”
The event, hosted by Ali Amin Gandapur, a senior official in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was attended by Taliban diplomats at his invitation. However, when Pakistan’s national anthem was played, Shakir and his colleague remained seated, an act widely condemned as a “breach of diplomatic etiquette” by Pakistani officials.
In response, the Taliban Consulate in Peshawar explained that their diplomats refrained from standing because the anthem was accompanied by music, which they said goes against their religious beliefs. The Consulate emphasized that the decision was not intended as disrespect toward Pakistan’s anthem.
“We have also banned the playing of Afghanistan’s national anthem with music,” said the Taliban Consul General. “Had the anthem been played without music or performed by children, the Consul General would have stood and placed his hand over his heart.”
The incident comes at a time of strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have only worsened since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Despite initial hopes for improved ties, tensions between the two neighboring countries have escalated.
