ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani survived an attack on Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul on Friday, embassy sources told The Express Tribune.
They said that Nizamani’s guard got critically injured during the attack which took place in Kart-e-Parwan area of the Afghan capital where the embassy is located.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanded an investigation into the attack and action against the attackers.
“I strongly condemn dastardly assassination attempt on Pakistan’s Head of Mission, Kabul,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.
He saluted the brave security guard, who took a bullet to save Nizamani’s life.
“Prayers for the swift recovery of security guard. I demand immediate investigation & action against perpetrators of this heinous act,” he further said.
I strongly condemn dastardly assassination attempt on 🇵🇰 Head of Mission, Kabul. Salute to brave security guard, who took bullet to save his life. Prayers for the swift recovery of security guard. I
demand immediate investigation & action against perpetrators of this heinous act— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 2, 2022
Sources said that the security guard was shot three times in the chest and was shifted to the hospital for medical assistance, adding that there were not many people at the embassy due to weekly holiday on Friday.
The foreign office in a statement said that the compound of the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul came under attack, targeting Head of Mission Nizamani.
“By the grace of Allah Almighty, the Head of Mission is safe. However, a Pakistani security guard Sepoy Israr Mohammad has been critically injured in the attack while protecting the Head of Mission,” it added.
The statement said that government of Pakistan strongly condemned the assassination attempt against Nizamani and the attack against the embassy compound in Kabul.
“The interim government of Afghanistan must immediately hold thorough investigations in this attack, apprehend the culprits, hold them to account, and take urgent measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani diplomatic personnel and citizens in Afghanistan,” it further said.
Sources said that the security guard was shot three times in the chest and was shifted to the hospital for medical assistance, adding that there were not many people at the embassy due to weekly holiday on Friday.
In another tweet, PM Shehbaz said that he has spoken to Nizamani and was relieved to hear that he is safe.
“I expressed solidarity of gov[ernmen]t & people with him, while assuring full support & assistance to him & mission on all counts. I also conveyed prayers for swift recovery of brave security guard,” he also said.
Just spoke to Ubaid Nizamani 🇵🇰 Head of Mission, Kabul. Relieved to hear that he is safe. I expressed solidarity of govt & people with him, while assuring full support & assistance to him & mission on all counts. I also conveyed prayers for swift recovery of brave security guard.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 2, 2022
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also spoke with Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul.
Spoken with my Head of Mission in Kabul @ubaidniz. Whom earlier survived an assassination attempt. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms. The safety & security of our diplomats are of fundamental importance. We salute bravery of Sepoy Israr & pray for his swift recovery
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 2, 2022
“We condemn this in the strongest possible terms. The safety & security of our diplomats are of fundamental importance. We salute bravery of Sepoy Israr & pray for his swift recovery,” he wrote.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also condemned the attack on Nizamani.
Assassination attempt on Nizamani sb our HOM in Kabul is condemnable. HOM Nizamani has served this relationship well and his safety & security will remain the highest priority for the Govt of Pakistan. Prayers & the nation’s thanks to Sepoy Israr Mohammad who s critically wounded
— Hina Rabbani Khar (@HinaRKhar) December 2, 2022
“HOM Nizamani has served this relationship well and his safety & security will remain the highest priority for the Govt of Pakistan. Prayers & the nation’s thanks to Sepoy Israr Mohammad who’s critically wounded,” she wrote.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi condemned the “failed” firing attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the security guard.
“IEA will not allow any malicious actors to pose a threat to the security of diplomatic missions in Kabul,” he wrote on Twitter.
IEA strongly condemns failed firing attack towards @PakinAfg in Kabul & prays for speedy recovery of a security guard. IEA will not allow any malicious actors to pose a threat to the security of diplomatic missions in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/JRkRnSMugA
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) December 2, 2022
“Our security will conduct a serious investigation, identify perpetrators & bring them to justice,” he further said.
Our security will conduct a serious investigation, identify perpetrators & bring them to justice.
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) December 2, 2022
The United States also denounced the attack on the Pakistani mission.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on the Pakistani Mission in Kabul, targeting its Head of Mission in Kabul, Ubaid Nizamani,” US embassy Islamabad wrote in a tweet.
We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on the Pakistani Mission in Kabul, targeting its Head of Mission in Kabul, Ubaid Nizamani. We offer our sympathies and wish a quick recovery to those injured. We call for a full and transparent investigation into the attack.
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) December 2, 2022
“We offer our sympathies and wish a quick recovery to those injured. We call for a full and transparent investigation into the attack.”var /*674867468*/
