In observance of the Pakistani national anthem, the Afghan Consul General remained seated.
Official sources state that it is improper for the Afghan Consul General to stand during the playing of the national anthem due to diplomatic etiquette.
PESHAWAR
GHAG Report
A video of the Afghan Consulate General in Peshawar breaking diplomatic protocol has gone viral. The Afghan consul general in Peshawar disregarded Pakistan’s national anthem by sitting silently, which is against diplomatic protocol at the Rahmatullah meeting. The provincial administration hosted the formal conference, which was attended by the provincial assembly speaker, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, provincial ministers, assembly members, and other officials.
Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah remained seated during the Pakistani national anthem, while the audience stood in observance of the song. The Afghan Consul General’s failure to stand during the playing of the national anthem, however, has been criticized by government officials as a breach of diplomatic protocol. Since diplomatic personnel from all nations are required to abide by local laws when deployed, this is a matter of diplomatic etiquette. Talks with the Afghan interim government without the involvement of the federal government were previously announced by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Peshawar, he also met the Afghan Consul General.