KABUL — In a tweet, Samia Yousufi highlighted concerns over the potential closure of Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul. During a recent press briefing, experts and analysts cautioned that such a move, if implemented, would have consequences far beyond politics, directly impacting thousands of ordinary Afghan citizens.
Sources explained that if the Pakistan embassy were to shut down, Pakistan could respond by closing the Afghan embassy in Islamabad, which currently provides essential consular services to thousands of Afghans every day. Such reciprocal actions would severely disrupt visas, passports, and other legal documentation, compounding challenges for the migrant community.
Historically, even during periods of intense conflict, diplomatic missions have remained operational. For instance, India and Pakistan have fought wars, yet neither country closed the other’s embassy, highlighting diplomacy as the final channel of communication and negotiation.
Closing the embassy, they argued, would primarily harm Afghan citizens who rely on essential consular services. Officials are urged to weigh these sensitivities carefully and prioritize the well-being of ordinary people over emotional reactions.
