The diplomatic row between Pakistan and Afghanistan has resurfaced with Kabul expressing its "severe objection and deepest concern over the summoning' of its ambassador by "Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and the misconduct" and Islamabad rejecting the assertion of "mistreatment" with the Afghan ambassador.

"We have seen the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and reject the assertion of "mistreatment" with the Afghan Ambassador. The Government of Pakistan extends due respect and courtesies and expects that the foreign envoys conform to the established diplomatic norms and principles", Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement.

As for the personnel of Pakistan's diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, who have been systematically harassed for the past few days, he said that Pakistan's concerns have already been conveyed to the Afghan government. "We urge the Afghan authorities to take immediate steps to ensure safety and security of the personnel of Pakistan's diplomatic missions in Afghanistan", the spokesperson added.

Earlier, in a statement, Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed 'its severe objection and deepest concern over the summoning of Afghan Ambassador Atif Mashal by "Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and the misconduct of the entity's personnel, and deems this action in clear contradiction with diplomatic norms and principles".

"The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, once again calls on the Pakistani government to align its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan in compliance with international conventions and accepted diplomatic norms", the Afghan Foreign Ministry stated.

"In connection with the security concern of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Kabul that has led to the closure of the Embassy's consulate section, as expressed in a statement of Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan states that the government of Afghanistan shall seriously investigate this claim and provides assurance that the government of Afghanistan is committed to providing safety to the diplomats of Pakistan as well as other diplomats in the country", it added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019