Govt red faced as Polish tourists robbed in city

CM chides city police chief, says such incidents mar country's reputation

KARACHI:

Four foreign nationals, including a woman, were allegedly robbed in the upscale Clifton area.

All four foreign nationals belonging to Poland have left the country without approaching the police for any legal proceeding, a senior police officer told The Express Tribune.

The incident came to light when a video of the brazen heist started doing rounds on the social media setting the police and the Sindh government into disaster control mode with the CM admonishing the police chief and home minister telling his department to pull up its socks.

A citizen recorded the video from his mobile phone while sitting in his car at a safe distance from the crime scene. It can be seen in the video that a car driver stopped four foreigners on pretext of asking for something.

The suspect snatches dollars and other valuables from the Polish nationals and also physically assaults one for putting up resistance, leaving him slightly injured.

SSP South Sajid Saduzai said that the Polish citizens have not contacted the police so far and per rep[orts they have already the country.

However, he said, after receiving the footage of the incident, the police started an investigation. The vehicle used in robbery is in the name of a private company and investigation is being carried out in this regard. He dispelled reports that the suspects were in police uniform, "they were in security guards' uniform."

SSP Saduzai said that apart from the video of the incident on the social media, CCTV footage of the surrounding areas is also being examined to identify the accused.

He shared that the Polish nationals came to Karachi on Sunday and were residing in Defence Housing Authority. They had gone to a shopping mall to get a mobile SIM cards. They were on their way back when the suspects robbed them.

CM seeks report

Apart from this, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah sought a report from Karachi Police Chief. Sindh Chief Minister said that robbing and assaulting tourists is a very discouraging incident. Sindh Chief Minister condemned the incident. Sindh CM said that robbing foreigners spoils the country's image. Tourists are turning to Pakistan due to the government's efforts to highlight the country's image.

Home minister Sindh Secretary Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar expressed his anger and sought the details of the incident from DIG South Asad Raza. He has ordered the immediate arrest of robbers involved in the incident. He has directed to ensure strict action against robbers with the help of available evidence and CCTV cameras. Home Minister Sindh directed to inform him about the investigation and progress on a daily basis.

However, the incident has laid bare the performance of the police in the city. Robbers roam free robbing people, even foreign guests, even in secured areas like Clifton and DHA which puts a question mark on the competence of the police.