Afghan diplomat resigns after attempting to bring 25kg gold from Dubai to Mumbai
Zakia Wardak, the consul general of Afghanistan, was caught at Mumbai airport trying to bring in 25 kg of gold worth Rs 18.6 crore from Dubai. This happened on April 25, and a case of gold smuggling has been filed. Wardak wasn’t arrested due to diplomatic immunity. This is a rare case of a diplomat being caught smuggling in Mumbai.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had specific information about Wardak and had officers stationed at the airport. Wardak, accompanied by her son, arrived on an Emirates flight and used the green channel. They were stopped by DRI officials while exiting the airport. Despite denying carrying any goods, gold was found hidden in Wardak’s clothing during a pat-down check.
Government valuers confirmed the gold’s authenticity, but Wardak couldn’t provide any documents proving its legitimacy. She was allowed to leave after the gold was seized. Wardak was appointed by the previous Afghan government but continued her duties after the Taliban takeover.
Following the incident, Wardak announced her resignation, citing personal attacks and defamation. She mentioned the challenges faced by women in Afghan society and thanked the Indian government for their support during her tenure. Wardak expressed hope for a future where women in leadership roles are respected.
In a statement announcing her decision to step down from her post effective Sunday, Ms. Wardak said, ‘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 said.
The diplomat said that while attacks on her were not surprising since she is in public life, she was not prepared for the toll they took on people close to her. ‘The persistent and coordinated nature of these attacks, aimed at defaming my character and undermining my efforts, have surpassed a tolerable threshold. It has become increasingly clear that the public narrative is unfairly targeting the only female representative within this system, rather than focusing on constructive assistance and support,’ she alleged.
Mr. Wardak also thanked the Indian government for the ‘warm welcome and unwavering support’ during her tenure. ‘It has been a great privilege working alongside the people of India for the past three years. I am grateful for the collaborative efforts and shared vision for progress between our nations,’ she wrote in the statement. ‘I sincerely hope for a future where women in leadership roles are supported and respected, where opportunities for progress are embraced rather than met with hostility and defamation. My commitment to advocating for positive change remains unwavering despite this decision,’ she said.
