Consul General of Afghanistan Zakia Wardak resigned on Saturday alleging “unfair targeting” and attempts at “defamation” after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai intercepted her with 25 kg of allegedly smuggled gold, worth over Rs 18 crore, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport last week. Wardak posted a statement on ‘X’ announcing her resignation on Saturday afternoon.
Last week, the DRI caught the 58-year-old with foreign-origin gold while she was travelling from Dubai to India. Wardak was, however, not arrested owing to the diplomatic immunity she enjoys on account of her position.
As per sources, Wardak and her son arrived in Mumbai airport on an Emirates flight from Dubai on April 25. She opted for the green channel indicating that she did not have anything to declare before Customs officials.
Acting on specific inputs, DRI officials stopped her before she could exit the airport premises and insisted on an examination. Nothing was found in her baggage, but personal examination led to the recovery of over two dozen gold bars. She had allegedly concealed the gold bars in her jacket, leggings, kneecaps and waist belt, said a source. The gold was duly seized as Wardak could not furnish any document to confirm that its source was legitimate.
On Saturday, Wardak stated in her statement, “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 added, “While attacks on me and my character were not altogether surprising, as being in public life is something I had prepared myself for, I was unprepared for the toll it took on those close to me. It is not fair to subject them to such unwarranted and horibly unfair experiences. 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.”
“While it is my passion to serve my country and contribute to positive change, I find it necessary to prioritize my well-being and ability to function in a normal capacity. Therefore, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my current role,” Wardak said.
Generally, anti-smuggling agencies arrest a suspect if he/she is found to be in possession of smuggled gold worth more than Rs 1 crore. However, considering Wardak’s diplomatic immunity, she was slapped with a notice and allowed to leave.