"Mera order tak ni chora": Food delivery rider robbed at gunpoint in Karachi

A food delivery rider was robbed at gunpoint while delivering an order late at night in Karachi. 

Absarul Haq, a university student and rider for Foodpanda, talking to Dialogue Pakistan, said the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at approximately 2:50am while he was waiting to deliver an order.

According to Haq, two men arrived on a motorcycle and threatened him with a firearm. They forcibly took his mobile phone, wallet, cash amounting to Rs3,500, identification documents, ATM cards, and wireless earbuds. The suspects also seized the food order he was carrying for delivery.

Haq stated that during the robbery, one of the assailants instructed the other to shoot him, prompting him to remain silent out of fear for his life.

“If they had taken my life, there would have been nothing I could do,” he said.

The rider later reported the incident to police at the Tipu Sultan police station, providing descriptions of the suspects. He added that he would be able to identify them if seen again.

Absarul Haq, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at Dawood University, works night shifts as a delivery rider to support his education and living expenses. Originally from Umerkot, he had moved to Karachi for studies and employment.

Following the incident, he has been unable to return to work due to the loss of his mobile phone, which he had recently paid off in instalments. “Without a phone, I cannot work. I am now confined at home with no means of income or communication,” he said.

The incident has also caused distress to his family, particularly his mother, who has expressed concern over his safety.

Haq has appealed to Sindh Police to apprehend the suspects and recover his stolen belongings so that he can resume his livelihood.