ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said Sunday it has closed its consulate in Afghanistan’s city of Mazar-e-Sharif after a woman tried to take a hand grenade inside the building.
The consulate has been shut down by the officials until the provision of bombproof security by the Afghan officials. The visa service also remains suspended since the incident.
“Pakistan Consulate General in Mazar-e-Sharif was closed today because an Afghan woman was caught trying to bring a hand grenade into the consulate in her personal bag,” the statement read.
“The Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul has urged the Afghan Foreign Office to provide foolproof security to its consulate general in Mazar-e-Sharif and to share findings of its investigation at the earliest,” said the embassy.
The embassy said the consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif would remain closed for visa services until provision was made “of fool-proof security by the authorities in Mazar-e-Sharif to prevent any untoward incident in the Consulate General”.
The foreign ministry, in a statement, urged the Afghan government to ensure security of Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Mazar-e-Sharif.
Pakistan has demanded an inquiry into the matter, the FO spokesperson said, adding that the Pakistani counterpart must be informed timely about the actions taken.
It is worth mentioning that the incident has occurred during the time when the US and Taliban officials have reportedly agreed to a peace agreement in Doha.