ISLAMABAD, May 11: Pakistan summoned the Afghan ambassador to the Foreign Office on Wednesday and conveyed the government’s serious concern over the attack on its consulate general by a mob in Jalalabad. A statement issued by the Foreign Office said the mob demonstrating on Wednesday morning against the desecration of the Holy Quran in the Guantanamo prison set on fire several buildings including the Consulate General of Pakistan. The consulate suffered extensive damage. However, the mission personnel were safely evacuated.

The additional secretary (Afghan and ECO) conveyed the Afghan ambassador serious concerns of the government over the incident. He referred to the close brotherly relations between the two countries and noted that the demonstration in Jalalabad was not directed against Pakistan. However, it was pointed out that proper security arrangements should be in place to avert such incidents.

The additional secretary called for an inquiry into the incident and effective measures to ensure that such incidents were not repeated. He emphasized that the Afghan government should strengthen security for the Pakistan embassy and consulates. The Afghan ambassador regretted the incident and conveyed his government’s assurance to hold an investigation and tighten the security of Pakistani mission in Afghanistan.