FO condemns ‘extremist’ attack on consulate in Germany’s Frankfurt

Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned on Sunday the “extremist” attack on its consulate in Germany’s Frankfurt, lamenting the host country’s failure to protect the sanctity of its consulate mission’s premises.

“In yesterday’s [Saturday] incident, the security of Pakistan’s consulate in Frankfurt was breached, endangering the lives of its consular staff,” said the FO.

A group of people allegedly belonging to Afghanistan staged a protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt, with some attempting to force their way into the building on Saturday. Protest videos went viral on social media.

Eight to 10 Afghan protesters tried to enter the consulate, causing property damage, said reports. They also pelted stones at the building.

In its statement, the Foreign Office stated that under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 it is the responsibility of the host government to protect the sanctity of the consular premises and ensure the security of diplomats.

While German authorities had granted permission for the protest, the situation escalated when some protesters attempted to breach the consulate.

German police have detained two Afghan individuals in connection with the incident and are using videos to identify other participants.

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The Pakistani diplomatic officials have raised the matter with the German foreign ministry in Berlin.

“We are conveying our strong protest to the German government,” the FO said and urged the German government to ensure the security of the diplomatic missions and staff of Pakistan in the country.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke on the same wavelength. In his post, Dar stated that Pakistan has pressed Germany to take measures to arrest and prosecute those involved in the incident and hold to account those responsible for the lapses in security.