I can't believe it ...I just can't ... Abid, one of the few who really inspired me and became a very good friend. An amazing guy , a bundle of energy, spontaneous, fun, always making others around him smile ... I can't believe that he was kidnapped and murdered in Parwan, Afghanistan.
Abid was a true Afghan, a true pathan who believed in a merciful God and who believed in his people and so he worked to bring peace and safety back to his beloved land.
My heart goes out to Ghazal and baby Iman. Iman looks just like her father. Ghazal is a strong woman and I hope both Ghazal and Iman get the strength to carry on.
I have Abid's number but I dont have the courage to call knowing that he won't be there on the other end to receive my call ... He has touched our lives in such beautiful ways...its hard to hold back tears now ...when I was in Delhi there was a part of me which was very sad ...and it was Abid who removed that part ...He gave me hope and taught me to look at life from a whole new point of view...I truly respect and love him for being such a good friend...
But I know we have to gain strength from his life and stand up against all who took him away from us... and let's promise each other never to stop fighting against those evil elements.
love and peace...
( the photo posted above is a edited version of the pic taken on-board Shatabdi Express on the way to Jaipur way back in 2005 when we were attending the Summer University together . I was sitting next to Abid. We had a small pretend fight after this beautiful journey( long story) ... I was so happy with him...I miss him ...)
It's confirmed now ...
I saw this on the net...
Murder of Abid Akmal/Afghanistan
Dear colleagues, I am deeply sadened by a message I just received from a contact in Kabul. Abid Akmal was a very courageous man working for AISA, the Afghan Investment Agency. Like so many other young Afghan men and women he yearned for nothing more than a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan and he did everything he personally could to work towards that goal. His love for learning and his generous spirit touched the lives of many, both in his home country and abroad. How do those of you who visit Afghanistan frequently feel about the current security situation? Since I visited in May, it seems like the situation has deteriorated quite a bit. I am to go back later in the year, but right now, I am just worried for all the bright young kids who are working so hard towards a better future.
Rest in peace my friend!
Here is the message I received:
Media Alert!
Abid Akmal, Deputy Director of Investment Support Department at Afghanistan Investment Support Agency has been disappeared since 6:00 am, 13 Aug 2008 from his apartment building of 3rd Macroyan-Kabul.At 3:30 pm his car was found crashed in Sorubi district near Khaki Tunnel where his ID card was found too. There was no sign of blood and human causality in the car. Abid Akmal is 25 years old and married to Ms. Ghazal Akmal BBC journalist for Pashto Service they have a daughter 14th months old named Eimaan “faith”His family and friends searched all the hospitals in Jalalabad, Laghman, Sorubi and Kabul provinces so far he is not among the injuries and deaths.AISA official has sent the missing report attached with his photo to all security related ministries and agencies strongly requested to investigate the situation at the earliest possible time.His family is also accused one of Abid Akmal’s friend who owns a mechanical shop and used to repair his car and was supposed to sell his car named Majeed. Mr. Majeed took him that morning from his apartment building. Mr. Majeed was arrested one day after the incident. He denied to be in Kabul but he was recognized by the eye witnessed early that morning. Mr. Majeed was kept for one week at Kabul Police Department and there was no development of the case. Later he was transferred to National Security Directorate where he is still kept but there has been no development in order to find Dr. Abid Akmal. All his family, friends and colleagues were pleading to all security agencies to launch a massive search in order find him safe and sound.BUT with deep sadness I must inform you that Abid Akmal a good member of AISA and my best friend who was kidnapped, has been killed. Dr. Abid Akmal’s dead body was found in Bagram district. He was buried on last Thursday 4th Sep 2008 in Karte Now Kabul. He was an innocent, highly educated, an intellectual, a medical doctor, writer and journalist and finally a great person to talk with and to know. He is not among us anymore. It in fact, is a tragic loss and has shocked all his friends. I personally got trauma and I am shocked by the tragic loss of my closest and dearest friend with whom I had a lot in common and can not even maintain my normal life.We are all wondering who will justify this loss to his fourteen month old daughter Eiman “Faith”.
