A Slap in the Face: The Afghan Consulate General’s Disrespect Exposes Their True Nature
What transpired at the Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference in Peshawar is not merely an act of ignorance or negligence; it is a deliberate insult to Pakistan, its sovereignty, and its people. Afghan Consul General Mohibullah Shakir’s refusal to stand for Pakistan’s national anthem is nothing short of an open act of disrespect. This is not a small diplomatic misstep—it’s a brazen insult that reveals the deep-seated disregard Afghans hold for their Pakistani hosts. For decades, Pakistan has been a safe haven for millions of Afghan refugees, but time and again, these so-called “neighbors” have shown their true colors.
The Afghan Consul General’s decision to remain seated during our national anthem is a slap in the face to every Pakistani who has sacrificed, endured, and welcomed Afghans with open arms. What did we get in return? Disrespect, betrayal, and now, blatant disdain. Mohibullah Shakir, by refusing to honor the anthem, sent a clear message: he, and by extension, many Afghans, have no respect for Pakistan, our values, or the sacrifices we have made for them.
Let’s be clear: this is not just about one man. This is about a pattern of behavior that has been festering for years. Pakistan has gone out of its way to support Afghans—hosting millions of refugees, providing them with resources, shelter, and opportunities. But what goodness can be expected from people who have consistently proven to be unfaithful, treacherous, and ungrateful? When Hamid Karzai turned his back on Pakistan, we saw the first signs of their betrayal. Then the Afghan Taliban, despite our support, began deceiving us the moment they came into power. And yet, there are still those within our ranks—the “Imrandos”—who sing their praises and continue to romanticize Afghan ties. Let me ask: how many more slaps will it take before we wake up?
This incident isn’t just about disrespecting a national anthem; it’s about revealing the deeply ingrained arrogance and contempt Afghans hold toward Pakistan. And shame on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for even inviting this man in the first place! Where is their loyalty to Pakistan? Do they have any sense of national dignity left? Extending an invitation to someone who holds our nation in such low regard only shows that these officials either lack understanding of diplomatic protocol or, worse, they don’t care about the respect that Pakistan is owed.
To sit idly by during our anthem is an insult of the highest order, and it’s time we stopped pretending that these are isolated incidents. Afghans have always been snakes in our backyard—no matter how much we feed them, they will bite us when it suits them. This is the ugly truth that many refuse to accept. They come to our land, they benefit from our generosity, and when the time comes to show respect or gratitude, they show us their true, treacherous nature.
It is time to act. Declaring Mohibullah Shakir persona non grata and expelling him from Pakistan is the bare minimum that must be done. The Foreign Ministry must take this incident seriously, issue a formal protest, and remind Afghanistan that disrespecting Pakistan comes with consequences. Furthermore, it’s high time we reconsider our policy toward Afghanistan altogether. Why should we continue to support a people who repay our kindness with contempt? Why should we be the ones constantly playing the role of the gracious host while they spit in our faces?
This is not just an act of one individual. It is a reflection of the long-standing animosity and ungratefulness Afghans hold toward Pakistan. It’s time for Pakistan to stand tall and stop letting these betrayals slide. We need to remind Afghanistan—and anyone who doubts—that Pakistan’s respect and dignity are not up for negotiation. We have bent over backward for them, but enough is enough.
It’s time to rid ourselves of the illusion that Afghanistan will ever be a true friend to Pakistan. They’ve shown us who they are, and now it’s up to us to act accordingly. Mohibullah Shakir’s shameless display is a reminder that those who bite the hand that feeds them deserve no sympathy, only swift and decisive action.
Ali Amin Gandapur: The Latest Pawn in the Game of Betrayal
Ali Amin Gandapur, once a firebrand political figure known for his hardline rhetoric, has now taken a pathetic and disgraceful turn. His recent overtures towards Afghans—yes, the very people whose governments have long been responsible for fostering terrorism in Pakistan—reveal not just a lapse in judgment, but a calculated act of self-serving betrayal. Gandapur, now the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), is groveling at the feet of Afghans in a desperate bid to blackmail the establishment and secure the release of his political master, Imran Khan. It’s a dangerous game, and it stinks of treachery.
Let’s not mince words: Gandapur’s recent actions are a clear message to the powers that be. “Get Imran Khan out of jail,” he’s practically screaming, “or we’ll sell our souls to the enemies of Pakistan.” By cozying up to Afghan interests, Gandapur is showing just how far the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is willing to go to achieve its goals, even if that means compromising Pakistan’s national security.
There’s no difference now between the PTI and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)—both groups seem hell-bent on pandering to Afghan interests, and both seem to have conveniently forgotten the damage inflicted on Pakistan by Afghan regimes. PTM has long been accused of siding with anti-Pakistan elements, but now PTI, under Gandapur’s lead in KPK, is singing the same tune. The difference between them is blurring rapidly. What’s next? Openly inviting Afghan agents into our ranks, in the name of “brotherhood” and “regional cooperation”? This isn’t diplomacy; it’s downright treason.
Gandapur’s desperate antics are a clear sign that he’s lost all sense of reality. He thinks that by ingratiating himself with Afghan leaders, he can somehow gain leverage over the establishment in Pakistan. The logic is twisted and dangerously flawed. The enemies of Pakistan will never be our friends, and no amount of licking boots—especially Afghan boots—will change that. Gandapur may think he’s being clever, but he’s playing with fire. And this fire will not just burn him—it threatens to scorch the entire country.
Let’s be clear: Ali Amin Gandapur has no capacity to hold talks with Afghanistan. He’s a man who has completely lost his senses. His mind is clouded by desperation to free Imran Khan, and in his bid to score points, he’s aligning himself with forces that have done nothing but bleed Pakistan dry. His so-called negotiations and outreach efforts are nothing but an exercise in futility, a hollow attempt to appear relevant on the geopolitical stage while throwing Pakistan’s dignity to the wind.