New Delhi:
Soon after it came to light that she was intercepted while allegedly trying to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth around Rs 18 crore from Dubai to India, the Afghan Consul General in Mumbai has announced that she is resigning. Zakia Wardak, the top Afghan diplomat in India, attributed her decision to “personal attacks and defamation” and a “public narrative unfairly targeting the only female representative within this system.”
Ms Wardak was intercepted with the gold by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence at the Mumbai airport in the last week of April. According to reports, the gold has been seized and a case has been registered, but she has not been arrested as she enjoys diplomatic immunity.
The diplomat was appointed by the previous government of Ashraf Ghani in Afghanistan, which was replaced by the Taliban in 2021. India continues to work with the Ghani government's appointees.
In a statement announcing her decision to resign effective Sunday, Ms. Wardak said: “Over the past year, I have faced numerous personal attacks and slanders, not only against me, but also against my immediate family and extended family members. “
“These attacks, which appear to be organized, have seriously affected my ability to operate effectively in my role and have highlighted the challenges faced by women in Afghan society as they strive to modernize and bring about positive change amid constant propaganda campaigns,” she said.
The diplomat said that while the attacks on her were not surprising because she is in public life, she was unprepared for the toll they took on people close to her.
“The sustained and coordinated nature of these attacks, aimed at defaming my character and undermining my efforts, have crossed an acceptable threshold. It has become increasingly clear that the public narrative is unfairly focusing on the only female representative within this system, rather than focusing on constructive assistance and support,” she claimed.
Mr Wardak also thanked the Indian government for its “warm welcome and continued support” during her tenure. “It has been a great privilege to work with the people of India over the past three years. I am grateful for the joint efforts and shared vision of progress between our countries,” she wrote in the statement.
“I sincerely hope for a future where women in leadership roles are supported and respected, where opportunities for advancement are embraced rather than met with hostility and vilification. My commitment to advocating for positive change remains steadfast despite this decision,” she said.