Afghan Diplomat Steps Down Days After She Was Caught 'Smuggling' Gold From Dubai

Days after being caught by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly trying to smuggle gold worth Rs 18 crore into India from Dubai, Zakia Wardak, Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mumbai, stepped down from the post alleging “personal attacks and defamation”.

Wardak, who was currently the Acting Ambassador of Afghanistan to India after the Taliban came to power there in August 2021, claimed the “public narrative unfairly targeting the only female representative within this system”.

“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,” the Afghan diplomat said in a statement announcing her decision to step down from her post effective Sunday.

She said that these attacks, “which appear to be organised,” have severely impacted her ability to effectively operate in her role and have demonstrated the challenges faced by women in Afghan society who strive to modernise and bring positive change amidst ongoing propaganda campaigns.

Wardak further said that while she anticipated attacks 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,” the diplomat alleged.

Thanking the Indian government for the “warm welcome and unwavering support” during her tenure, She said, “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 further said that she hopes 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,” Wardak added.

Gold Smuggling Case

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials intercepted Wardak at the Mumbai airport on April 25 and recovered 25 kg of gold worth Rs 18.6 crore that she was allegedly trying to smuggle into India from Dubai. Following this, a case of gold smuggling under the Customs Act, 1962, has been registered against her.

Wardak was appointed in India by the previous Ashraf Ghani government in Afghanistan, which was replaced by the Taliban in 2021. India still works with the appointees of the Ghani government.

She was appointed acting Ambassador of Kabul, along with the Consul General of Hyderabad Sayed Mohammad Ibrahimkhil, in December last year after Farid Mamundzay, Afghanistan’s former Ambassador to announced the closure of the Embassy in New Delhi.