Extortion shadow looms over the metro
The extortion mafia has once again raised its head in the city, with 32 cases reported over the past five months.
The highest number of incidents — 10 — were reported in District Central, where extortionists not only targeted individuals but also caused loss of life through gunfire.
Taking notice of the rising number of extortion cases, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho has formed a 13-member team comprising the SSP of New Karachi Division, CPLC, SIU, technical team members, and officers from the operations wing of the District Central police.
So far this year, 11 extortion cases were reported in January, four in February, nine in March, five in April, and three in May.
According to reports, hotel owners, food centres, paan shopkeepers, and street vendors were blackmailed and threatened with dire consequences if they did not pay extortion money.
In the New Karachi area of District Central, a young boy and a social worker — who was providing iftar to citizens during Ramazan — were killed in firing by extortionists. Additionally, several shopkeepers have reported cases to the police in which they paid extortion money.
It is worth noting that investigations have revealed evidence of the involvement of the Lyari gang war's Wasiullah Lakho and Samad Kathiawari groups in these extortion cases. Police have already arrested several members of both groups.
The special team formed to crack down on extortionists will be headed by SP New Karachi Division Salman Waheed, and will include Assistant Chief Operations of CPLC Kashif Iftikhar, Deputy Chief District Central Sheikh Faraz, and Naveed Hashmi. Other members include DSP Operations Wasif Qureshi and DSP Investigation Nasir Afridi from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Police, SHO SIU Inspector Malik Mazhar Awan, and technical team members Sub-Inspectors Qadir Jalali and Zeeshan, along with area Head Constable Faraz. The team also includes the SDPO of New Karachi from the Operations Wing of District Central and the technical team of District Central.
In addition, the team may seek assistance from any police officer within the Karachi Range as needed. The Karachi Police Chief has tasked the team with preventing further extortion cases in District Central and arresting those involved.
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Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Extortion shadow looms over the metro
The extortion mafia has once again raised its head in the city, with 32 cases reported over the past five months. The highest number of incidents — 10 — were reported in District Central, where extortionists not only targeted individuals but also caused loss of life through gunfire. Taking notice of the rising number of extortion cases, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho has formed a 13-member team comprising the SSP of New Karachi Division, CPLC, SIU, technical team members, and officers from the operations wing of the District Central police. So far this year, 11 extortion cases were reported in January, four in February, nine in March, five in April, and three in May. According to reports, hotel owners, food centres, paan shopkeepers, and street vendors were blackmailed and threatened with dire consequences if they did not pay extortion money. In the New Karachi area of District Central, a young boy and a social worker — who was providing iftar to citizens during Ramazan — were killed in firing by extortionists. Additionally, several shopkeepers have reported cases to the police in which they paid extortion money. It is worth noting that investigations have revealed evidence of the involvement of the Lyari gang war's Wasiullah Lakho and Samad Kathiawari groups in these extortion cases. Police have already arrested several members of both groups. The special team formed to crack down on extortionists will be headed by SP New Karachi Division Salman Waheed, and will include Assistant Chief Operations of CPLC Kashif Iftikhar, Deputy Chief District Central Sheikh Faraz, and Naveed Hashmi. Other members include DSP Operations Wasif Qureshi and DSP Investigation Nasir Afridi from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Police, SHO SIU Inspector Malik Mazhar Awan, and technical team members Sub-Inspectors Qadir Jalali and Zeeshan, along with area Head Constable Faraz. The team also includes the SDPO of New Karachi from the Operations Wing of District Central and the technical team of District Central. In addition, the team may seek assistance from any police officer within the Karachi Range as needed. The Karachi Police Chief has tasked the team with preventing further extortion cases in District Central and arresting those involved.
Express Tribune
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Pindi cops accused of torture, extortion
A new case of alleged police brutality has recently surfaced in Rawalpindi, where a citizen was reportedly abducted, held in a private torture cell and was subjected to physical abuse and extortion. Following a complaint submitted to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani took swift action. An inquiry was initiated, and after identifying the involved police personnel, a case was registered under sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) related to extortion and the Police Order 2002. According to police, Farooq Khan, a resident of Rawalpindi, filed a written complaint to the provincial chief executive that on March 19 during the holy month of Ramazan, he was stopped at Pirwadhai Mor by two uniformed police officers for ID verification. Shortly afterward, three plainclothes officers arrived and forced him off his vehicle, telling him he was being taken to the police station. The complainant was instead seated on a motorcycle and taken to the Pirwadhai Bus Stand. There, he was transferred into a car and driven around Raja Bazaar Road for about an hour while the officers repeatedly demanded money. Later, he was taken to a private torture cell located on the second floor of an unknown building, where another individual named Ghulam Abbas was also being held. Farooq Khan alleges he was handcuffed, tortured all night, and threatened with false charges unless he paid a ransom of Rs2 million. On March 20, he was allowed to call home to arrange the money. After iftar, the officers allegedly collected Rs400,000, released him at Mandi Mor, and kept his vehicle registration book and a guarantee for an additional Rs100,000. The victim said that the police acted like outlaws from remote tribal regions. He alleged that such officers regularly detain civilians in private cells instead of legal detention centres and keep them imprisoned for days until their demands are met. Farooq Khan also sent his complaint to the Inspector General of Punjab Police, DIG Special Branch, and the Rawalpindi RPO. Acting on the report, the CPO ordered a case to be filed against Head Constable Rizwan and Constable Mehran.
