ISLAMABAD/KABUL: Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an investigation into the kidnapping of the daughter of Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan, the interior ministry said on Saturday, after reports of her abduction and torture.
According to Afghan authorities, Silsila Alikhil, the daughter of Ambassador Najibullah Alikhil, was on her way home in Islamabad on Friday when she was "abducted for several hours, severely tortured by unknown individuals."
She was admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
"Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to utilize all resources to apprehend the persons involved in the kidnapping of the daughter of Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad," the interior minister's office said in a statement.
It added the PM ordered law enforcers to investigate the incident on "top priority" and "apprehend the culprits within 48 hours."
Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan, Najibullah Alikhil, speaks to Arab News at the Afghan embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. (AN photo/File)
Islamabad police are investigating the case, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri confirmed earlier in the day, and said the security of the ambassador and his family had been increased while law enforcers are pursuing the suspects.
Dr. Waseem Khawaja, spokesperson of PIMS, admitted marks of torture were found on Silsila's body, but she is now out of danger.
"She was out of danger and referred to specialists for further examination," he told Arab News. "She was brought under police supervision and treated for bruises on wrists and feet along with marks of torture on the body."
"Work on her medico-legal report is underway."
Afghanistan has condemned the incident, while its foreign ministry expressed "deep concern over the safety and security of diplomats, their families, and staff members of the Afghan political and consular mission in Pakistan."
In 2008, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Khaliq Farahi, was captured in his car in Peshawar and his driver was killed on the spot. Farahi was freed two years later.
