Afghanistan to withdraw all diplomats from Pakistan over envoy's daughter's kidnap

Afghanistan on Sunday announced that it was withdrawing all its ambassors and diplomats from Pakistan's capital Islamab in aftermath of kidnap and assault of Afghan envoy to Pakistan Najibullah Alikhil’s daughter, Afghan foreign ministry said on Sunday. Tensions remained heightened as bilateral ties deteriorated between two Islamic republics over former’s support of Taliban terrorism that has claimed lives of hundreds of thousands of Afghan national forces. 

In a tweet fired Sunday, Afghanistan’s Vice President Amrullah Saleh said: “President Ashraf Ghani instructed ministry of foreign affairs Afghanistan to call back our ambassor from Islamab along with all senior diplomats.” He continued, “ abduction of Afghan ambassor's daughter and her subsequent torture has wounded psyche of our nation. Our national psyche has been tortured.”

“This isn’t first case but first spectacular case involving a ly. Harassment of diplomats, local staff with integrity who reject collaboration is in menu of Islamab agencies,” he said, condemning shocking incident.  Afghan foreign ministry n summoned Pakistani ambassor Mansoor Ahm Khan in Kabul to protest what Afghanistan described a “grave incident of manhandling”. 

In a statement issued shortly after tweet, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that Afghan officials and envoys will not return to Islamab unless accused were apprehended and high-level security was arranged for safety of diplomats. "Following abduction of daughter of Afghan ambassor to Pakistan, leership of Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan recalled ambassor and senior Afghan diplomats based in Islamab to Kabul until complete diplomatic immunity and security is provided, including arrest and trial of hostages," re statement. 

Furrmore, it ded, “A delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan in near future to review and follow up on current issue and related issues. In light of findings of this, furr steps will be taken.” 

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign affairs also issued a statement citing Afghan President Mohamm Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan meeting on Friday last week in Tashkent on sidelines of Central and South Asia Connectivity Summit. Pakistan’s PM Khan h agreed to undertake necessary measures in mutual consultation with his Afghan counterpart to establish a joint mechanism to dress security concerns to end bloodshed in Afghanistan. “ two sides agreed to utilize all available means and resources to ensure permanent and sustainable peace in Afghanistan and to make joint practical efforts to secure a political settlement between Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Taliban,” Afghanistan’s foreign ministry mentioned in statement. 

Pakistan’s Foreign Office meanwhile responded saying that decision was “unfortunate and regrettable” and that authorities were investigating assault at “highest level” on orders of Pakistani PM Imran Khan. “We hope that government of Afghanistan would reconsider its decision,” Foreign Office said, ding that Pakistan’s foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood met with Afghan envoy to brief him on steps being taken to and reassured him of “full cooperation”. 

Afghani ambassor's daughter 'tortured for several hours'

26-year-old daughter of an Afghani ambassor, Najib Alikhil, was abducted in middle of Pakistani capital Islamab from her rented vehicle. Silsila Alikhil was tortured for several hours by her assailants before she managed to secure her release. A hospital medical report showed that she h sustained injuries on her body, h rope marks on her wrists and legs, and was beaten bly. She h suffered a blow to her he and h fractured bones, reports reveal. Afghan foreign ministry condemned "heinous act” and condemned Pakistan for sending thousands of jihi militants over border and providing a safe haven to terrorists. 

(With ANI inputs)