Over 70 factory workers looted

KARACHI:

In a shocking incident of brazen robbery, over 70 workers of a leather factory were deprived of their mobile phones, cash, and other valuables while travelling in a bus in Shah Faisal Colony on Wednesday. To add insult to injury, police nonchalantly asked the victims to return in the evening to register FIR.

As per details, a bus transporting employees of Noor leather factory was en route to the factory when it pulled up at a bus stop near Shah Faisal Colony No 3. Suddenly, more than eight armed robbers boarded the bus, held the driver at gunpoint, and proceeded to loot mobile phones, cash, and personal belongings from the factory workers.

Salman, one of the affected factory workers, recounted the brazen robbery. "Brandishing their weapons at the bus driver, the bandits took him hostage and started robbing the passengers," he recalled. "The robbers also subjected the factory workers to physical violence," he added.

Salman further said that female workers were also on the bus, and the robbers did not spare them, subjecting them to both robbery and verbal abuse. The robbers assaulted the driver and hurled threats before disembarking and fleeing. After the incident, all the workers proceeded to the local police station to register the FIR.

However, the police officers present at the station suggested that they return later in the evening to lodge a formal complaint. They were advised to bring their application with them at that time.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2023.