On the 20th of July, 2024, in Frankfurt, Germany, a terrifying event took place in which some Afghan nationals attacked the Pakistani Consulate. They were waving their national flags when they stormed into the compound of the Consulate, which led to massive unrest. Mobile phone footage shows someone scaling up the flagpole within the consulate courtyard and pulling down the Pakistani flag before trying to rip it apart and set it alight. This prompted immediate diplomatic responses from Pakistan.
Diplomatic Reactions and Protests
In retaliation for this assault, Pakistani diplomats made a formal complaint with the German Foreign Ministry, asking for a thorough examination. The Foreign Office called the German ambassador to express deep concern over this in Pakistan’s envoys and insisted that Germany should fulfill its obligations under the Vienna Convention by ensuring the protection of all diplomatic missions.
Protests and Police Response
The protest was allegedly organized by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) following the death of PTM activist Gilaman Wazir in Pakistan. Initially, only one mobile unit was deployed outside the Consulate by German police who treated protests as routine events. Speakers at the rally used derogatory language against Pakistani authorities, thus inflaming the crowd further.
Eyewitness Accounts and Official Statements
According to witnesses, most demonstrators were refugees living in different camps across Germany. Embassy staff released a statement condemning acts of violence, saying it is necessary to calm down among people of Pakistani origin, too. They reminded them that the security of foreign missions rests squarely on the shoulders of governments hosting such establishments.
Government’srnment’s Assurance
German officials pledged that a full-scale inquiry would be carried out into the matter raised by their counterparts from the Pakistan side. Also, complicit Vice Premier & Minister for Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar urged them to abide by Vienna Convention terms fully next time. He also demanded responsibility be fixed concerning security lapses. He called for instant action against perpetrators involved in the attack. His speech at a public gathering on the evening of the same day. Both these commitments were made known through official channels. Media houses covering the event were given copies with stamps indicating receipt.
Security Concerns and Future Measures
Security around diplomatic missions has become the cause of worry following this occurrence. Pakistani reps highlighted the community’s expectation that host governments must safeguard consulates. German police are said to have started initial investigations. Besides holding custody, few individuals have seen viral videos showing an assault on the Frankfurt consulate.
Pakistan has demanded immediate steps to ensure the safety of its embassy staff in Berlin and other cities across Germany. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch again reminded the duty laid down under. The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 called for quick arrests. Legal proceedings against culprits behind this attack while insisting on answers over security lapses. The top-ranking officials assured their counterparts from Islamabad that a comprehensive probe would be conducted into these events. They also promised to prevent any repeats in the future.
