Pakistan closes consulate in northern Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - Pakistan closed down its consulate in Afghanistan’s northern Mazar-i-Sharif city after an alleged terror threat on Sunday.

In a statement, Pakistani Embassy in Kabul said an Afghan woman was caught trying to bring a hand grenade into the consulate in her personal handbag.

“The Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul has urged the Afghan Foreign Office to provide foolproof security to its Consulate General in Mazar-e-Sharif and to share findings of its investigations at the earliest”, the statement said.

The Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif will remain closed for visa services till the provision of security, it added.

This came as written test for Bachelor Degree Program for Afghan students in Pakistan was underway at the consulate.

There have been no immediate comments from the Afghan officials.

Pakistan’s diplomatic mission is among the busiest in Afghanistan issuing hundreds of visa on daily basis.