Tourist couple robbed of cash, iPhones in Thatta

A Polish cyclist couple was robbed of their valuables in Thatta district in the noon hours on Sunday. Armed men intercepted the couple, snatched their mobile phones, and fled the scene.

The incident occurred near the Sujawal-Badin bypass while the couple was visiting the Amli graveyard and traveling towards Hyderabad when they were mugged.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar instructed the police to take swift action against the culprits.

The victims, Kowalczyk Jakuo Tomasz and his spouse, Scantamburlo Mae Elisabeth, were on a world tour and had visited 10 countries over the past seven months before arriving in Pakistan.

According to SSP Sujawal Dr Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, three muggers robbed the couple of an iPhone and Rs 72,000 in cash.

Inspector Abdul Haq Baran, the in-charge of the District Intelligence Bureau, stated that the tourists had not informed local authorities about their travel route. He added that prior communication could have ensured their safety.

The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and collected CCTV footage from nearby filling stations to identify the muggers.

The couple were guests of the provincial archaeology department and stayed at the Archaeology Guest House the night before the incident. 

As part of their journey through countries such as France, Italy, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Russia, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, they were heading toward India.

During their visit to Thatta, the tourists praised Pakistan’s hospitality and expressed fascination with Sindh’s rich cultural heritage.

However, this incident raises serious concerns about the safety of tourists in Pakistan.

The lack of security can negatively impact the country’s image as a safe destination for international travelers, potentially deterring thousands of visitors from exploring its cultural and historical treasures.