Islamabad: Pakistan has temporarily shut its consulate in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad city due to alleged interference by a local governor. The Pakistan Embassy in Kabul has informed Afghan authorities that the consulate will remain closed until Nangarhar Province Governor Hayatullah Hayat stops his interventions.
Diplomatic sources said the embassy has also informed the Afghanistan government that the undue interventions by Hayat was a complete violation of the Vienna Convention of the Consular Relations, 1963.
Pakistan demanded authorities improve security and stop interference in the consulate general’s functioning, otherwise it will not be opened.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are under stress and the they have not completely eliminated the mistrust towards each other. (PTI)
