ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan directed on Saturday Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to utilise all resources to apprehend the persons involved in the kidnapping of the daughter of the Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad.

The premier has further directed the interior minister that Islamabad police and other law enforcement agencies must investigate the incident on top priority, bring up the truth of the matter and apprehend the culprits within 48 hours.

Accordingly, the interior ministry’s spokesperson said, all efforts are being made to thoroughly investigate the matter and apprehend the persons involved in the incident. The official statement said that Islamabad Police is constantly in touch with the girl and family of the Afghan Ambassador.

Earlier, while responding to media queries regarding the man-handling of the daughter of the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan, the Spokesperson of the Foreign Office issued a statement.

As reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad, the FO statement said, the daughter of the Ambassador was assaulted while riding a rented vehicle on Friday.

Immediately after this disturbing incident was reported, it read, the Islamabad police launched a thorough investigation. It added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant security authorities are closely in contact with the ambassador and his family and extending full support in the matter.

While the security of the ambassador and his family has been beefed up, it maintained, law enforcement agencies are trying to trace and apprehend the culprits to be brought to justice.

“It is reiterated that the safety and security of the diplomatic missions, as well as the diplomats and their families, is of utmost importance,” it concluded, “Such incidents can and will not be tolerated.”

Meanwhile, the Afghan embassy, while confirming the incident, stated that the ambassador's daughter, Silsila Alikhel, was “abducted for several hours and severely tortured”.

Condemning the incident, Kabul expressed “its deep concern over the safety and security” of it diplomats and their families in Pakistan.The ministry added the ambassador’s daughter is receiving medical care at a local hospital.