Islamabad has expressed strong condemnation after a group of people claimed to be Afghan nationals attacked the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, on Saturday. The assailants threw stones and pulled down Pakistan’s flag, triggering widespread outrage on social media. According to Pakistan-based Geo News, the attackers, with Afghan flags wrapped around their shoulders, stormed the consulate, vandalised the premises, and replaced the Pakistani flag with the Afghan flag.
Geo News also cited reports as stating that the attackers also tried burning the Pakistani flag. They also pelted stones at the building, as per the Pakistani media.
BREAKING: Afghans storm Pakistani consulate in Germany’s Frankfurt; Bring down Pakistani flag. They were opposing genocide of Pashtuns by Pakistan Army. pic.twitter.com/uqTTLCFhOc
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) July 21, 2024
Videos circulating on social media depict the protesters entering the consulate.
a video clip of an attack by a group of Afghans on Pakistan’s consulate in Frankfurt, Germany.
What’s your opinion on this? pic.twitter.com/rfEb3XjpmM
— Nazrana Yousufzai (@Nazranausufzai) July 21, 2024
Pakistani Condemns Attack By ‘Gang Of Extremists’ On Frankfurt Consulate, Seeks Arrest & Prosecution Of Attackers
The Pakistani Foreign Office issued a statement on Sunday, condemning the breach of security at its consulate in Frankfurt, which endangered the lives of consular staff. The statement did not specify the nationality of the attackers but highlighted the failure of German authorities to protect the diplomatic facility.
“Pakistan strongly condemns yesterday’s attack by a gang of extremists on its consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, and the failure of the German authorities to protect the sanctity and security of the premises of its consular mission,” the Foreign Office said. “We are conveying our strong protest to the German government. We urge the German government to take immediate measures to fulfil its responsibilities under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, and ensure the security of the diplomatic missions and staff of Pakistan in Germany.”
🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣2️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣
Attack on Pakistan’s Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany
🔗⬇️ https://t.co/4k44gEoONl pic.twitter.com/fJ8I74k4UZ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 21, 2024
The Foreign Office also called on German authorities to arrest and prosecute those involved in the incident and hold accountable those responsible for the security lapses.
Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the incident demanding the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the incident. He took to X and wrote, “Yesterday a gang of extremists breached the premises of Pakistan’s consulate in Frankfurt, Germany endangering the lives of its consular staff. Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the German Government. We have urged the German government to fulfill its responsibilities under the Vienna Conventions and ensure the security of the diplomatic missions and staff of Pakistan in Germany.”
Yesterday a gang of extremists breached the premises of Pakistan’s consulate in Frankfurt, Germany endangering the lives of its consular staff. Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the German Government. We have urged the German government to fulfill its responsibilities…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 21, 2024
“We have also pressed them for taking immediate measures to arrest and prosecute those involved in yesterday’s incident and hold to account those responsible for the lapses in the security,” he added.
