ISLAMABAD/KABUL - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said the decision by the government of Afghanistan to recall its Ambassador and senior diplomats from Pakistan is “unfortunate and regrettable.”
“The reported abduction and assault of Ambassador’s daughter in Islamabad is being investigated and followed-up at the highest level on the instructions of the Prime Minister,” the ministry said. “The security of the Ambassador, his family and personnel of the Embassy and Consulates of Afghanistan in Pakistan has been further beefed up.”
“The Foreign Secretary met the Ambassador of Afghanistan today, highlighted all the steps taken by the Government in this context, and re-assured him of full cooperation. We hope that the government of Afghanistan would reconsider its decision,” the statement added.
On the other hand, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry In a statement on Sunday said that it was recalling the ambassador and other senior diplomats “until all the security threats are removed including the arrest and trial of the perpetrators of abduction.” It further said, “An Afghan delegation will visit Pakistan soon to asses and follow-up on the case and all related issues; subsequent actions will follow based on the findings.
Afghanistan yesterday intensified tension with Pakistan as it recalled its ambassador from Islamabad over security concerns. Pakistan immediately responded saying the ambassador and the embassy were being provided adequate security.
While a few details have been released about the incident, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said Silsila Alikhil was abducted for several hours on May 16 by unknown individuals and “severely tortured”. Alikhil was on her way home in Islamabad when she was allegedly kidnapped, the ministry had said earlier, adding that she was under medical care in hospital after being released.
On May 16, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Ashraf Ghani met on the sidelines of International Conference on “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity, Challenges and Opportunities” in Tashkent. The exchange of views focused on Afghan peace process and Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan has always supported a united, peaceful and stable Afghanistan. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support to the Afghan peace process, highlighting that Pakistan has consistently emphasised that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict.
The Prime Minister stressed that instability and conflict were not in Pakistan’s interest. The Prime Minister reiterated the call for immediate reduction in violence. It was also emphasized that imposition of a government by force will not lead to the resolution of Afghan conflict and a negotiated political settlement among the Afghan sides was the only way forward. Pakistan will continue its efforts to urge all parties to engage constructively and secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political solution.
The two leaders agreed to further enhance Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations. It was stressed that negative statements from Afghan side vitiated the environment and there was a need to build trust. The two sides agreed to undertake necessary measures through mutual consultations to evolve bilateral mechanism to address each other’s concerns in the security arena.
“The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact,” said a foreign ministry statement. Last week Pakistan postponed the Afghan Peace Conference after Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh accused Pakistan of supporting the Taliban.