Culprits behind assault of daughter of Afghan ambassador must be arrested within 48 hours: PM tells interior ministry

• PM Imran Khan directs interior ministry to ensure arrest of culprits within 48 hours.
• All law enforcement agencies must probe the matter on priority basis, he says.
• Security for ambassador and family beefed up; Islamabad police have launched a thorough investigation: FO
• Afghan foreign ministry says the ambassador's daughter was abducted for several hours and tortured.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed Minister for Interior Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed to ensure that the culprits behind an incident involving the daughter of the ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan are arrested within 48 hours and all facts behind the incident ascertained.

The prime minister said that all law enforcement agencies must probe the matter on priority basis and make use of all available resources to apprehend the abductors.

The Foreign Office, earlier issued a statement saying that the culprits are being traced to be brought to justice.

"Yesterday, the daughter of the ambassador was assaulted while riding a rented vehicle," said a statement issued by the FO, quoting the spokesperson, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri.

According to the statement, immediately after the disturbing incident was reported, the Islamabad Police launched a thorough investigation.

"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," the statement added.

It said that the security of the ambassador and his family "has been beefed up" and in the meanwhile, 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.

"Such incidents can and will not be tolerated," the statement said in conclusion.

According to a statement by the Afghan foreign ministry, the ambassador's daughter was abducted for several hours and tortured.