Silsila Alikhil, the 26-year-old daughter of the Afghan envoy to Pakistan, was abducted and held for several hours in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. Though she was released later, officials of both countries confirmed she was tortured.  The incident took place on Friday in broad daylight, the Afghan foreign ministry said on Saturday, condemning the “heinous act”. The ministry also expressed concern for the safety and security of its diplomats and family members in Pakistan. 

Reacting to the incident, Pakistan called the attack “disturbing”. Pakistani officials said that security at the residence of the Afghan ambassador in Islamabad has been reinforced. The incident drew condemnation from senior Afghan leaders, including former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, the chief peace negotiator in Afghanistan.  

The Afghan foreign ministry later summoned the Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, and lodged “a strong protest” over the attack. Afghanistan asked Pakistan authorities to take immediate action to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime.” 

The incident also drew condemnation from Pakistan's leaders. Sherry Rahman, a senior woman leader of the PPP, tweeted that “the Afghanistan Ambassador’s daughter is a young woman, and should not face any obstacle in walking about in central Islamabad, plus more importantly, she is entitled to diplomatic protection in Pakistan.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly asked his officials to arrest the perpetrators in 48 hours. Sheikh Rashid, the country’s interior minister,  has given assurance of speedy investigation. 

(SAM)