Karachi police allegedly torture citizen over bribe refusal

An incident of alleged misconduct has surfaced in District Central, Karachi, where personnel of the Shaheen Force — formed to protect citizens’ lives and property — are accused of detaining and torturing a civilian after he refused to pay a bribe.

According to reports, the incident took place near the Ghareebabad railway crossing, where Shaheen Force officials had set up a checkpoint.

A citizen was reportedly stopped and asked to pay a bribe. When he refused, he was allegedly taken to Sharifabad police station and subjected to severe physical abuse. He was also reportedly threatened with being “encountered” if he did not comply.

Upon receiving the complaint, the SSP District Central ordered an inquiry and assigned DSP Liaquatabad to investigate the alleged torture.

The affected citizen, identified as Anwar Ali, later obtained a medico-legal letter from the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and underwent a medical examination at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Anwar Ali, a resident of Gulberg Federal B Area Block 4 and owner of a poultry feed factory, stated that on the first day of Ramadan, after offering Taraweeh prayers, he went to the gym and later stopped near Al-Karam to buy biryani for his family.

He alleged that at a deserted spot near the railway crossing in the Sharifabad area, four personnel on two motorcycles stopped him.

He later learned they were members of the Shaheen Force conducting snap-checking. According to his account, the officials demanded Rs2,000 from him, despite the fact that he was carrying Rs58,000 in cash.

When he refused to pay, they asked for his motorcycle documents and allegedly claimed the bike was stolen, after which he was taken to the police station.

Family members, residents, and a number of lawyers reportedly gathered at Sharifabad police station upon learning of his detention and alleged mistreatment. The inquiry into the matter is currently under way.