Robbers target expats returning home with impunity

Man returning from Qatar abducted and deprived of valuables

RAWALPINDI:

The episodes of robbing the overseas Pakistanis returning home from abroad in Rawalpindi continue unabated as another overseas Pakistani labourer was abducted and deprived of cash, foreign currency, jewellery and valuables upon his arrival from Qatar.

According to police sources, a case of robbery has been registered at Naseerabad police station, Rawalpindi. Rafat Hussain, who earned his living by doing hard labour in the Middle Eastern nation, told the police that after reaching the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad from Qatar, he reached Pirwadhai Mor by taxi. “I was waiting for the public transport to go to my village Pind Dadan Khan, Jhelum when a white high-roof vehicle carrying four people including the driver pulled over and the people on board the vehicle told me that they were going to Pind Dadan Khan, Jhelum,” the complainant said in the police report.

“When the driver turned the vehicle towards the motorway, I inquired the driver where are you going so two men pointed pistols at me and snatched a gold set, 1500 Qatari Riyals, gold jewellery set and earrings, PKR22,000 in cash, three smart mobile phones etc and having dropped me at Sarai Kharbooza Stop, Taxila, fled towards Peshawar.

The police said that a case has been registered and the search for the accused was underway. It may be called that such incidents have also happened with other Pakistanis who were travelling to their homes after reaching the Islamabad airport from abroad within the limits of Naseerabad, Race Course, Morgah, Civil Lines, Airport, Rawat, Mandira and Gujar Khan police stations of the garrison city. Days have passed and the accused have not been arrested yet.

The incidents of looting have created an air of panic and fear among the citizens.

On the other hand, when the police officials were contacted, they said that during the last month and a few days ago as well, a group posing as customs officials and a man in a police uniform were arrested by the Rawalpindi police.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2022.