Table of Contents
What has happened?
- Afghanistan on Sunday announced the recall of its ambassador and senior diplomats in Pakistan,
- In the wake of the kidnapping and assault of the envoy’s daughter in Islamabad, adding to strains in bilateral ties over Pakistan’s perceived support to cross-border terrorism.
- A statement issued by the Afghan foreign ministry on Sunday night indicated the Afghan diplomats would remain in Kabul,
- Until Pakistan took action to apprehend the persons involved in the abduction of the envoy’s daughter.
Deep wound on the nation
- Afghan first vice president Amrullah Saleh said the decision to recall the diplomats had been made by President Ghani as the abduction of the envoy’s daughter had “wounded the psyche of our nation”.
- “Following the abduction of the Afghan Ambassador’s daughter in Pakistan, the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan called back Afghanistan’s Ambassador and senior diplomats from
- Pakistan until all security threats are addressed,
- Including the arrest and trial of the perpetrators of abduction,” the Afghan foreign ministry’s statement said.
- “An Afghan delegation will visit Pakistan soon to assess and follow up on the case and all related issues; subsequent actions will follow based on the findings,” It added.
Flip-flop by Pakistan
- The Afghan envoy’s daughter, Silsila Alikhil, was allegedly abducted, tortured and assaulted on Friday by unknown persons in Islamabad.
- She was abducted while riding a rented vehicle and was held for several hours before being released.
- She was found near F-9 Park area of the capital with torture marks on her body.
- However, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid in an interview to private TV channel Geo News said,
- The ambassador’s daughter was not abducted and alleged that the entire episode was the result of an “international racket“ to “defame” Pakistan.
- Interestingly, Rashid earlier in the day had claimed that Pakistan was close to arresting the kidnappers.
- It is a top priority case as the Prime Minister has directed to solve it and arrest the culprits, the minister had said.
- Pakistan has termed as “unfortunate and regrettable” Afghanistan’s decision to recall its ambassador and other senior diplomats from Islamabad,
- After the alleged abduction and torture of the daughter of its envoy, and urged Kabul to reconsider the move.
- It said the security of the ambassador, his family and personnel of the Embassy and Consulates of Afghanistan in Pakistan has been further beefed up.
- Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary met the Afghan envoy on Sunday and highlighted the steps taken by the government for the security of the diplomats and re-assured him of full cooperation.
- We hope that the Government of Afghanistan would reconsider its decision, the statement said.
Significance of this move by Afghanistan
- The kidnapping incident has happened amidst a war of words between Islamabad and Kabul,
- Over Pakistan’s alleged tacit support to Taliban fighters who are confronting Afghan government forces.
- Pakistan and Afghanistan often trade accusations, with Kabul claiming Islamabad is sending thousands of militants to fight in the war-torn country and providing safe haven for the Taliban.
- Pakistan, in turn, claims that Afghanistan harbours the anti-Pakistani group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – the Pakistani Taliban – and also the secessionist Balochistan Liberation Army.
conclusion
- “The Taliban would not have been this strong if not for Pakistan’s state support. Pakistan helps in the infiltration of foreign fighters of Lashkar, Jaish, Haqqani. They strategise on how to help the Taliban.“
- Meanwhile, The Pakistan Foreign Office has categorically denied the charges.
- “We remain committed to peace in Afghanistan and shall continue to endeavour towards this end irrespective of the detractors,“ the Pakistan Foreign Office said.
Q) In 1998 India signed its first strategic partnership with which country?
- Russia
- France
- USA
- Germany
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