‘Abduction for ransom’ incident unveils dark side of Karachi's CTD

Victim reveals harrowing details of abduction for ransom; police yet to take action against culprits

KARACHI:

In a disturbing revelation, another unsettling incident involving the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has surfaced in Karachi, adding to a series of controversies surrounding the agency. Reports indicate that CTD officials allegedly abducted a citizen, later releasing him after extorting a hefty ransom of Rs200,000.

The victim, identified as Atif Aslam, was reportedly picked up by plainclothes officers from the University Road area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal on March 30. Shockingly, the officers also confiscated Atif's car during the abduction.

Sources suggest that Atif was subjected to four hours of brutal torture at an undisclosed location. Initially, the CTD officials demanded a staggering sum of Rs1.5 million for his release, eventually settling for Rs500,000.

In a harrowing turn of events, Atif was escorted to a bank in Mehmoodabad, where Rs200,000 was withdrawn from the ATM. The terrified citizen was then released with a chilling warning that he must pay the remaining Rs300,000 the following day.

Also read: SIU police arrest four CTD cops in a raid

Disturbingly, car tracker details revealed that Atif was taken to CTD Civil Lines, raising serious questions about the department's involvement in the alleged abduction.

Furthermore, a person identified as Sohail contacted Atif, demanding the outstanding ransom to be delivered to CTD Civil Lines under the threat of dire consequences if payment was not made promptly.

Despite Atif's efforts to seek justice by providing detailed information to senior police officials and filing a case, the Karachi Police has yet to take decisive action against the accused CTD officials involved in this shocking crime.

This incident comes in the wake of recent arrests made by the Special Investigation Unit, where four CTD officials were apprehended in a raid in the Garden neighborhood of Karachi.

The arrested officers were accused of similar acts of abduction for ransom, leading to the registration of a case at Tipu Sultan police station.