DNA
ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Sunday that the incident involving the daughter of the ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan “was not an abduction” at all.
“This is an international conspiracy. An agenda of RAW,” he said, while speaking to a private news channel.
He was referring to the Indian intelligence agency. The minister said that the daughter had first claimed that her phone was stolen, “and later handed her phone over but with the data deleted”.
He said that the CCTV footage of the time of the incident had been reviewed and it was found that there were not two, but three taxis that she had used.
“She took a taxi from Daman Koh and did not return home,” said Rasheed.
The minister said three videos had been reviewed, whereas an attempt to acquire a fourth is being made.
Earlier in the day, Sheikh Rashid said that suspects in kidnapping of Afghanistan ambassador’s daughter will be arrested in a day or two.
While addressing a press conference, the interior minister said that the Afghan ambassador’s daughter had left her home on foot and she took a taxi to Khadda Market for shopping
“CCTV footage obtained by the police show that the woman took two taxis,” the minister said in a media briefing. “She left her home on foot and arrived at a market.” From there, she took a taxi to the Khadda market and then another one to a mall in Rawalpindi.
There is, however, a gap in the investigation. The police don’t know how the woman reached to Daman-e-Koh from Rawalpindi, he pointed out, adding that they have interviewed the third taxi driver as well. After the assault, the woman first went to the Ali Medical Centre and then the PIMS Hospital.
The Interior Minister assured that the police are investigating the case under “top priority” on orders of the prime minister. “In the next 72 hours, we will [god willing] solve the case.”
An FIR has been registered under sections 365 (Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person), 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 34 (Acts done by several persons In furtherance of common intention), and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The statement of Alikhel’s daughter was recorded late Saturday night as well.
The minister called out India for “misguiding the case” and playing the role of an “influence agent” against Pakistan. “India is not letting go of any opportunity to increase its propaganda against Pakistan. Soon we
will put the reality in front of the international media.”
“We will present the entire, true picture in front of the world,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s importance in the region has shot up due to PM Khan’s popular foreign policy moves.
He reiterated that Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used against Afghanistan and the former expects the same from latter.
Rasheed debunked the rumours of the Dasu Dam site being closed. “Work at the hydropower plant has resumed.”
At least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed after a passenger bus carrying them to the Dasu dam site fell into a ditch following an explosion.
To investigate the attack, a 15-member Chinese team landed in Pakistan Saturday. According to the interior minister, they visited Dasu and met the injured people.
“Pakistan security forces and Chinese officials are working together on the investigation,” he said, adding that neighbouring country wants Pakistan to ensure that their statements are the same.
The Interior Minister told media that the Chinese team expressed satisfaction and appreciated the efforts and investigation made by the Pakistan side.
