KARACHI: University of Karachi’s Chairman of the Department of Islamic Learning, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan Saqi, was allegedly assaulted and forcibly detained for several hours at a Karachi hotel following a road accident, police officials said on Tuesday.
In a video statement, Prof. Saqi said he was travelling to the University of Karachi in an online ride-hailing cab when the incident occurred near Safoora Goth.
He claimed that a double-cabin vehicle collided with the cab. After the accident, he asked the occupants of the vehicle to compensate the driver for the damage and exchange contact information, explaining that the driver would struggle to bear the financial loss.
According to Prof. Saqi, the occupants, along with their armed security guards, allegedly attacked him and the cab driver, hitting them on the head with rifle butts.
He further alleged that the guards opened fire into the air before taking him and the driver to a hotel, where they were allegedly held against their will for several hours.
Prof. Saqi said Rangers personnel reached the location during the incident but only asked for his name before leaving without taking further action. He said Malir Cantonment police subsequently intervened, secured his release and handed him over to Sachal police.
Police said a medico-legal certificate had been issued to Prof. Saqi after he was found injured. He was later taken into police custody as authorities proceeded with the legal process.
Three suspects taken into custody
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar took notice of the incident and directed the SSP East to submit a detailed report regarding the alleged assault and unlawful confinement.
The SSP East subsequently briefed the home minister and confirmed that three suspects had been detained. Police said legal proceedings would be initiated against those involved.
Teachers condemn attack
The University of Karachi Teachers’ Association strongly denounced the alleged assault on Prof. Saqi and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those responsible.
IJT stages protest at university
The incident also triggered a protest by the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) outside the University of Karachi.
The demonstration disrupted traffic for a period, as the route from University Road towards Safoora Goth was reportedly blocked during the protest.
