LAHORE: A diamond set worth Rs0.7 million was stolen from the Expo Centre in Johar Town on Sunday.
The set was lifted from a three-day exhibition of Indian products. Police was informed about the heist at 7:30 pm and for a while stopped people from leaving Hall Number 2. However, later they allowed people to exit.
The exhibition, ending on 13 February, has been organised by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Other than jewellery, clothing, spices, machinery and other products were on display. Around 30 stalls displayed jewellery.
Kamal Khan, manger of ND Diamonds, said a woman arrived at their jewellery and said she was feeling unwell. He said that he attended to her while in the mean time a middle aged man arrived at the stall. The manager said he did not pay much attention to the man. He said that as they approached closing time they checked their display items and found that a diamond set worth Rs0.7 million rupees was missing.
Chuhng ASP Jahanzeb Khan told The Express Tribune that Kamal Khan informed the police about the theft rather late. He said the police had initially blocked all exits, however, they released the shoppers once they realised that the culprits had fled.
He said no CCTV covered this particular stall. All CCTV footage, he added, had been obtained by the police for analysis. He said that the two people identified by the manager were suspects.
He said that around 25 guards looking after the exhibition were insufficient.
The ASP said that there were more than two reserves deputed around the exhibition. He said personnel of special branch and other agencies were also present at the exhibition in civvies. The responsibility for the theft rests with the Expo Centre management who were in charge of internal security, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
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What else do you expect when doing business in Pakistan?
No guards, stupid location for the shop, no CCTV coverage, late complain lodge....... something's fishy here!!!
the shop owner should have known better
Who sit in a makeshift stall to sell R7Lakh diamond next to a low-cost spice & clothing displays also "machinery"? A Jewellry shop should have been in double-room secured with well-paid camera & guards, ofcourse from the income of jewellery. I hope this owner had spent some money on insurance too, or he should be selling Bhuttes instead of jewellry.