Afghan investigators arrive in Islamabad to probe alleged assault of envoy's daughter

Policemen ride past the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad on July 19, 2021. (AFP)
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Updated 01 August 2021
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Afghan investigators arrive in Islamabad to probe alleged assault of envoy's daughter

  • Silsila Alikhil said she was abducted in the middle of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on July 16
  • PM Imran Khan said in a TV program on Sunday he would personally follow the case, as if Alikhil were his 'own daughter'

ISLAMABAD: Afghan investigators arrived in Islamabad late Sunday to probe an alleged assault of Afghanistan ambassador's daughter, Afghan and Pakistani officials confirmed.

Silsila Alikhil, the daughter of Afghan envoy Najibullah Alikhil, has said she was abducted in the middle of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on July 16, held for several hours and brutally attacked.

A medical report after Alikhil was admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad said she had suffered blows to her head, had rope marks on her wrists and legs and was beaten.

While Pakistani authorities are investigating the incident, police said evidence collected did not “corroborate” the kidnaping claim.

As the Kabul government had closed its Islamabad embassy over the case, the probe by Afghan officials will decide whether the country's mission would continue operations or not, a senior diplomat at the embassy told Arab News.

“The leadership will take a decision whether or not to reopen the embassy on the basis of their findings,” the diplomat said, requesting anonymity.

A senior Pakistani intelligence source confirmed the arrival of the four-member investigation team.

“An Afghan delegation arrived in Islamabad Sunday night for the investigation of the incident occurred with the daughter of the Afghan ambassador,” he said.

Members of the Afghan delegation, which consists of officials from the foreign ministry and security agencies, will start talks with Pakistani investigators on Monday.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a TV program on Sunday he would personally follow the case, as if Alikhil were his "own daughter."


Pakistan Customs seize ecstasy tablets worth $1 million in Karachi

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Pakistan Customs seize ecstasy tablets worth $1 million in Karachi

  • Pakistan Customs has initiated investigation to identify recipients, facilitators of smuggling attempt, says FBR
  • Ecstasy, also known as “party drug,” causes energizing effect, enhanced enjoyment of tactile experiences

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs this week foiled a bid to smuggle more than 9,000 MDMA or ecstasy tablets into the country valued at Rs299.8 million [$1 million], the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a statement. 

According to the FBR, the narcotics were found concealed inside speakers and LED lamps in a parcel that arrived from Germany at the International Mail Office in the southern port city of Karachi. 

It said the shipment had been falsely declared as containing “clothes, socks and music boxes.”

“Officials of the Airport Cargo Control Unit (ACCU), Collectorate of Customs Airports Karachi, seized 9,455 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets valued at Rs299.791 million during a targeted inspection,” the FBR said on Friday. 

“Customs authorities have initiated further investigation to identify the recipients and facilitators of the smuggling attempt.”

Ecstasy/MDMA acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen, producing an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception, and enhanced enjoyment of tactile experiences.

Adolescents and young adults use it around the world to reduce inhibitions and to promote euphoria, feelings of closeness, and empathy. 

Known as a “party drug,” ecstasy is consumed in both pill and powder form. 

Pakistan has stepped up efforts against clamping down on illegal drugs, with authorities frequently seizing large quantities of narcotics such as heroin, ecstacy, ice and hashish across the country. 

In November, Pakistan Navy seized narcotics worth Rs36 billion ($130 million) under a Saudi-led maritime task force. 

In October, another Pakistan Navy ship seized a record haul worth nearly Rs271 billion ($972 million), one of the largest drug seizures ever reported in the North Arabian Sea.