ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned an attack by a “gang of extremists” on its consulate in Frankfurt and the failure of the German authorities to protect the sanctity and security of the premises of its consular mission.
The Foreign Office’s statement came a day after a group of Afghan nationals allegedly vandalised and attacked the Pakistani consulate, pelting stones at the building and removing the country’s flag.
The statement said the responsibility to protect the premises and ensure the security of diplomats falls under the host government under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963.
“We are conveying our strong protest to the German government and urge to take immediate measures to fulfil its responsibilities under the Vienna Conventions,” the Foreign Office said. Pakistan also sought the German authorities to take immediate measures to arrest and prosecute those involved in Saturday’s incident and hold to account those responsible for the lapses in security.
The video of the incident went viral on the internet in which the Afghan nationals could be seen storming the Pakistani consulate. There were reports that they also tried burning the Pakistani flag. According to media reports, the situation has drawn significant attention among the diplomatic security of the installations. However, the Pakistani officials have been assured of a thorough investigation by the German authorities in Frankfurt.