Afghan diplomat resigns amid allegations of gold smuggling

Afghanistan’s only female diplomat and consul-general for Mumbai, Zakia Wardak, announced her resignation on Saturday following reports of her alleged detention by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for attempting to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth ₹18.6 crore from Dubai to India, The Associated Press reported.

According to Hindustan Times, the DRI officials after receiving specific information deployed personnel at the airport on April 25. The mother-son duo’s bags were examined and cleared. However, the DRI officials asked if they were carrying any dutiable goods or gold with them, but the duo denied it. Following this, Wardak was taken to a separate room for a physical pat-down by a woman officer - during which the DRI officials found gold bars concealed in her jacket, leggings, knee caps, and waist belt. The officials also checked her son, but nothing was found on him, the report said.

The Afghan diplomat was then reportedly asked to produce documents proving the legitimate possession of the gold, but she could not produce it. According to the report, the officials seized the gold under a ‘panchnama’ and registered a case of gold smuggling under the Customs Act, 1962, against the Afghan diplomat.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Wardak said that she was “surprised” and “concerned” by the gold smuggling accusations.

Zakia made no remarks about gold smuggling allegations but stated, “I am deeply sorry that as the only woman present in Afghanistan’s diplomatic apparatus, instead of receiving constructive support to maintain this position, I faced waves of organized attacks not only directed towards myself but also towards her close family and extended relatives,. The attacks have severely impacted my ability to effectively operate in my role and have demonstrated the challenges faced by women in Afghan society.”

Indian media reportedly said that she has not been arrested due to her diplomatic immunity.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Taliban Foreign Ministry regarding Wardak's resignation were met with silence as calls went unanswered.

Zakia became the first Afghan female diplomat to engage in cooperation with the Taliban. Since the Taliban's takeover in 2021, they have imposed stringent measures, barring women from many public roles and limiting girls' education.

Moreover, they enforce strict dress codes and restrict unmarried women's access to work, travel, and healthcare, often leading to arrests for non-compliance with the interpretation of Hijab and Islamic headscarf.