SHO suspended over 'shooting, injuring citizen for not pulling over'

The injured was initially declared a robber by the police, says injured person's brother

KARACHI: A young man, identified as 25-year-old Sharafat, was shot and injured while riding a motorcycle, along with his friend, in an alleged police encounter near MA Jinnah Road late Tuesday night. Later, Aram Bagh Police Station SHO Roy Akmal, who is said to have shot at Sharafat, was suspended on Wednesday and an inquiry was launched into the incident.

According to Sharafat's brother, Nazakat, the incident took place as Sharafat, along with his friends, was heading towards MA Jinnah road after buying motorcycle spare parts from a market situated opposite the Radio Pakistan building.

He claimed that Aram Bagh Police had initially declared Sharafat a robber but the officials were "perplexed" when Sharafat's friends clarified that he was not involved in any such criminal activity. The injured man was then rushed to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital in critical condition, he added. Sharafat's condition was said to be unstable until the filing of this report.

Meanwhile, quoting police, Nazakat said, "officials had opened fired on Sharafat's motorcycle to stop him."

‘Robbers’ released by Sindh Police

A similar account was given by Preedy Police DSP Ali Raza Shah, who said that police had flagged down Sharafat's motorcycle but when he didn't pull over, police officials opened fire on him on the basis of suspicion.

While no case was registered against the offenders by Sharafat or his family till the filing of this report, an inquiry, led by Saddar Police SP Amjad Hayat, has been initiated into the incident. According to police, a comprehensive investigation of the case will be carried out and departmental action will be taken if the accused officials are found guilty of the offence.

South police DIG Sharjeel Inam Kharal has also taken notice of the incident. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he said that a show-cause notice has been issued to the accused SHO and he has been suspended from duty.

Earlier, Kharal visited Sharafat at the hospital and assured his family of providing all possible assistance.

Sharafat, hailing from Larkana, is a resident of Shireen Jinnah Colony in Karachi and is employed at a bakery.

His brother has appealed to Sindh chief minister, Sindh IGP and other relevant authorities to take notice of the incident.