Residents of the northern provinces on Monday staged a protest against the closure of Pakistan’s Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif city.

The protestors closed the road leading to the consulate for almost an hour and called for the diplomatic office to be reopened.

Pakistan’s Consulate General in Mazar-e-Sharif city was closed on Sunday “because an Afghan woman was caught trying to bring a hand grenade into the consulate in her bag”, the Pakistan embassy said in a statement on Sunday.

“We have a problem. I am feeling sick. I want a visa (to get medical treatment in Pakistan),” said Balkh resident Khan Mohammad, who had joined the protestors. 

“I want to go to Peshawar for (medical) treatment, but the consulate is closed for visas,” said Hamidullah, a Kunduz resident.

The protestors, meanwhile, accused security guards at the consulate of taking bribes.

“My wife is feeling sick. I want to take her to Pakistan. I had to pay AFs500 for the security guards to allow me to enter the consulate when it was open,” said Nek Mohammad, a Balkh resident. 

TOLOnews reporter Aref Musavi says many of those interviewed by him were visa applicants who needed to get to Pakistan for medical treatment.

“I met many people who are applying for visas for Pakistan for treatment,” said Balkh resident Bahauddin.

Balkh governor’s spokesman Ahmad Munir Farhad said efforts are underway to facilitate the reopening of the consulate with relevant government organizations.

“Efforts are underway to resolve the problem within the next one or two days through diplomatic channels,” Farhad added.

Pakistan’s Consulate is located in PD4 of Mazar city in the northern Balkh province and according to officials at least 500 people from different provinces visit the consulate on a daily basis.