Pakistan Accuses Afghan Protestors of Attacking Its Diplomatic Mission In Europe

The Pakistani Foreign Minister said that Afghans residing in Europe have carried out violent attacks and protests against Pakistan's diplomatic missions in Frankfurt, London, and Brussels.

During a call with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), he mentioned that they are working on a sustainable solution for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

On Thursday, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the phone conversation between Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, and Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan stated that the two sides discussed issues related to the cooperation between Pakistan and the UNHCR.

Dar said that "the recent attacks and violent demonstration (by Afghani diaspora) against Pakistan's diplomatic missions in Frankfurt, London, and Brussels” were also discussed with Grandi.

On July 20, a group of angry protestors entered the premises of the Pakistani Consulate in Frankfurt and took down the country's flag. According to reports, this incident occurred on the sidelines of a demonstration in support of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in Pakistan and in protest against the killing of Gilaman Waziri, a member of this movement.

Pakistani citizens were also involved in this protest. On July 21, Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister announced that the identification cards and passports of Pakistani citizens involved in the attack on the consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, would be blocked.

Following the attack, Pakistan summoned the German ambassador. The spokesperson of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Berlin has committed to punishing the perpetrators of the attack.

Earlier, following the death of Gilaman Waziri, several PTM supporters also stormed the Pakistani embassy in London.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the High Commissioner for Refugees has appreciated the recent decision by the Pakistani government to extend the validity of refugee registration cards.

The two sides agreed to continue their cooperation to advance Pakistan-UNHCR collaboration and to find sustainable solutions for the Afghan refugee issue.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited Pakistan earlier this month to review the situation of Afghan refugees. After talks with Pakistani officials, he announced the agreement to extend the residency cards for Afghan refugees.