Yemeni envoy getting death threats

Lahore: A senior Islamabad-based Yemeni Embassy official has been getting death threats by a criminal gang of the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa while the foreign office and police are not taking interest in providing security to the diplomat or nab the culprits.

The situation has terrified the diplomatic community and it can hurt the cordial relations between Islamabad and Sana’a, sources said.

They informed that Dr. Abdul Rab Abubakar Bingabr, the deputy head of mission in the Yemeni Embassy has been running from pillar to post to get security or at least an arms licence so that he can keep a weapon to defend his family.

Moreover, the Yemeni foreign office has summoned Pakistani Ambassador in Sana’a and expressed concern over the situation but to no avail, the sources added.

All the requests made by Dr. Abdul Rab Abubakar Bingabr fell on the deaf ears and the diplomat feels that he and his family is on the mercy of criminals.

His ordeal began when a gang raided and ransacked his home located in G-10, and took away his car bearing registration number QL-304. Later the gang started threatening him of dire consequences and “physical extermination” from a cellphone the local police deemed it enough to register a complaint against unidentified people.

The lawbreakers would tell the diplomat that they know the school where his children are getting education and would call after every security step taken by the diplomat telling him that it cannot stop them from hurting him and his family.

It may be mentioned that many Arab diplomats have faced problems like attacks, kidnapping attempts and family of an Ambassador had to leave country over safety concerns recently.

When contacted, Dr. Abdul Rab Abubakar Bingabr said that the situation is a major case of concern and that he is disappointed by the response of the Foreign Office, police and other authorities. “All I get are assurances with no concrete step which I view as a mistreatment,” he added.

He said that his country is facing terrorism but providing fool proof security to Pakistani mission in Sana’a but Islamabad has failed to reciprocate, Dr. Abdul Rab noted.

He and his family is going through strain while facing a hostage like situation, his kids cannot go to mosque or park and their friends have stopped coming to meet them.

He said that the Pakistani government is responsible for ensuring the safety of all the Yemeni nationals and diplomats, he said.