Pakistan expressed regret over Afghanistan's decision to recall its ambassador in Islamabad following the "kidnapping" of his daughter, describing the decision as "unfortunate and sad." The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that the kidnapping of the ambassador's daughter is "under investigation and closely monitored," expressing "hope that the Afghan government will reconsider its decision," according to AFP.
Kabul summoned its ambassador Najibullah Ali Khil and other diplomats in Islamabad on Sunday "following the kidnapping" of its representative's daughter in Pakistan, stating that the decision will remain in effect "as long as the threats to the safety of these individuals persist," as announced by the Afghan Foreign Ministry. The Afghan Foreign Ministry had also summoned the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul on Saturday, expressing "strong protest" after the "kidnapping" of its ambassador's daughter, Silsila Ali Khil, on Friday by unknown individuals "for several hours."
On Saturday evening, Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed tweeted that he had received an order from Prime Minister Imran Khan to explore all available means to apprehend those involved in the kidnapping of the Afghan ambassador's daughter. He added, "The police and other security agencies must investigate this incident, give it priority, uncover the truth, and arrest the perpetrators within 48 hours."
For its part, a spokesperson for the Taliban, Mohammad Naeem, "strongly condemned" the kidnapping of the Afghan ambassador's daughter and called on the Pakistani government to "accelerate its efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime and punish them."
Tense Relations
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been strained for several years, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of harboring Taliban elements since their regime was overthrown in Afghanistan at the end of 2001 by a US-led international coalition. The Taliban has been conducting a widespread offensive against Afghan forces for the past two months, allowing them to gain control over vast rural areas. Islamabad, on its part, accuses Kabul of ignoring attacks carried out against it by hostile groups operating from Afghanistan.
