Original source (on modern site)
New Delhi: Over a week after being intercepted at Mumbai airport for attempting to smuggle 25 kg of gold, Afghanistan's consul general Zakia Wardak, who was also looking after the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, announced on Saturday that she was stepping down due to "personal attacks and defamation". Advertisement >
The Times of India reported on Saturday that Zakia Wardak, Afghanistan's consul general in Mumbai, was intercepted by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on her arrival on an Emirates flight from Dubai on April 25 evening.>
Based on a tip-off, DRI officials were waiting for her after she went through the green channel, which meant that no goods were declared for customs. Advertisement >
During a physical check, she was found to have worn special clothing to hide two dozen gold bars. In total, the recovery was of 25 kilogram of gold, worth Rs 18.6 crore, which was recorded in a panchnama, as per the newspaper. A case of gold smuggling was also registered.>
Since Wardak had diplomatic immunity, she was not arrested. As per some reports, she has left India, but it is not confirmed. Advertisement >
On the same day that the news report was published, Wardak posted a statement on her social media accounts that she was leaving her post.>
"It is with great regret that I announce my decision to step away from my role at the Consulate and Embassy of Afghanistan in India, effective May 5, 2024," she wrote.>
However, her entire statement did not address the allegations of gold smuggling.>
"Over the past year, I have encountered numerous personal attacks and defamation not only directed towards me but also towards my close family and extended relatives. These attacks, which appear to be organized, have severely impacted my ability to effectively operate in my role and have demonstrated the challenges faced by women in Afghan society who strive to modernize and bring positive change amidst ongoing propaganda campaigns," she posted. Advertisement >
Wardak claimed that the "coordinated" attacks were targeting the "only female representative within this system, rather than focusing on constructive assistance and support".>
She thanked the Indian government "for their warm welcome and unwavering support during my tenure".>
Wardak was appointed as a diplomat by the earlier Islamic Republic which fell after the Taliban took over in 2021. She had since cultivated close working ties with the Taliban-run foreign ministry in Kabul.>
Following the departure of Afghan ambassador Farid Mamundzay and most Afghan diplomats last year, Wardak and Afghan consul-general in Hyderabad Sayed Mohammad Ibrahimkhil jointly assumed responsibility to maintain operations at the embassy in New Delhi. Advertisement >
The embassy's operation was crucial for meeting the consular needs of the sizable Afghan community, which includes students.>
With Wardak having left, the operations of the embassy would be the sole responsibility of Ibrahimkhil, who will have to look after two missions at the same time.>
It is unlikely that India would publicly accept a Taliban-recommended diplomat at this time, even though relations between Kabul and New Delhi have improved in recent months. Advertisement >
In May 2023, The Wire had reported first that the Taliban government tried to replace the Afghan ambassador to India, who was appointed by the previous Islamic Republic, with another diplomat, Qadir Shah as Chargé d'affaires. However, this attempt failed as the new Taliban-appointed diplomat was blocked from taking up the position by other colleagues.>
India, in alignment with the international consensus, does not recognise the Taliban regime. This had also made it uncomfortable for New Delhi to publicly acknowledge Qadir Shah's position, as he attempted to assume the role of CDA based on an appointment letter from Kabul.> Advertisement