Karachi: Professor Arif Khan Saqi, head of the Department of Islamic Learning at the University of Karachi, was allegedly assaulted by armed men after intervening on behalf of a taxi driver whose vehicle had been damaged. Police have detained three people in connection with the incident and registered a case.
According to police, the senior professor was travelling to the University of Karachi in an online taxi when the vehicle stopped at one point and was struck by a double-cabin vehicle reversing into it.
Police said the son of a local hotel owner and armed guards travelling in the double-cabin allegedly assaulted Professor Saqi following the collision. He was reportedly hit on the head with pistol butts, pushed and dragged into a restaurant, where he was allegedly assaulted again.
Professor Saqi said he had only asked the occupants of the vehicle to compensate the taxi driver for the damage, after which the hotel owner’s son allegedly attacked him with a pistol butt and fired shots into the air.
Police said the three people detained so far are hotel employees, while efforts are underway to locate other individuals allegedly involved in the incident.
The Karachi University Teachers’ Society condemned the assault and called on senior authorities to take notice of the incident and ensure action against those responsible.
A case has also been registered at Sachal police station on the complaint of Professor Arif Khan Saqi against Konain Ali Gohar Shah and other suspects.
Police said the case includes charges relating to attempted murder, assault, causing injuries and unlawful confinement.
According to the FIR, Professor Saqi said he and his nephew were assaulted by two armed guards after they demanded compensation for damage caused to their vehicle near Safoora Chowk.
The complainant alleged that after being injured, he and his nephew were taken to a hotel, where they were unlawfully confined and assaulted again.
The FIR further alleges that the suspects fired shots into the air and took away the nephew’s vehicle.
According to the complaint, police later arrived at the scene and rescued Professor Saqi and his nephew, while the suspects fled.
Police said further investigation is underway and efforts are continuing to arrest other suspects wanted in the case.
