Two missing Pakistani diplomatic officials released in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani diplomatic officials who disappeared in Afghan capital have reached Pakistan Embassy in Kabul, Geo News reported on Wednesday.

According to Geo News, Hassan Khanzada, a visa assistant, and Munir Shah, driver, were detained by Afghanistan’s intelligence agency; the National Directorate of Security (NDS).

The two men were taken into custody along with their vehicle and were released after three hours.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Office summoned the Afghan Deputy Head of Mission to lodge Pakistan’s strong protest over the incident in which two diplomatic officials in Kabul were detained.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the Afghan DHM was conveyed that the incident was a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations (1961) and against the spirit of the brotherly relations between the two countries.

It was emphasized that such incidents undermined the constructive engagement which the two countries envisaged for strengthening of bilateral ties.

“We urge the Afghan government to take immediate steps to ensure the security and safety of our diplomatic personnel and premises and to ensure that such incident do not take place in future,” he was told.