Careem driver robbed at gunpoint in Rawalpindi

News Desk |

A popular internationally operating cab hiring service launched its services in Pakistan in March 2016 with a mission to facilitate the commute system of the locals. This service is being greatly used across the country and has recently started getting abused, with every ‘node’- be it Karachi, Lahore Islamabad- having its own tale.

Sunday February 25, 2018 was one such day when Careem captain, Rizwan Niazi was picking up rides as per usual, in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He is a resident of Mianwali and is a PTI worker. He was asked to pull over by two men on a motorbike in the late hours of Sunday night. Niazi being under the impression that they were genuinely in need of direction stopped his car near the Rawalpindi Metro Station.  

Junaid was shot dead as he tried to go against his robbers. This led to the staging of a strike in F9 Park on Friday, 23 February 2018. The drivers had refused to operate the cab service after 8 pm until their security was assured.

He was made to come out of the car on gun-point and his whole day’s earning, that amounted to Rs. 18,000, was looted from him. Rizwan feared the gunner may shoot him and tried to snatch the gun from his hand. The gunman’s accomplice attacked him with a sharp object and left his face injured and bloodied. Luckily, Rizwan hid his phones in the car before stepping out of the car. The robbers fled the scene on their motorbike that did not even have a number plate.

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The Careem team took immediate notice of this incident. They got Rizwan the required medical attention and got the attention of the law enforcement bodies of the city. The PRO police Rawalpindi, Mr. Imran Kazmi said that the City Police Officers shall address this issue at a higher level of priority. The DSP of Civil Lines has been directed to file an FIR and to have the culprits arrested within 48 hours.

This service is being greatly used across the country and has recently started getting abused, with every ‘node’- be it Karachi, Lahore Islamabad- having its own tale.

The team also met with Deputy Commissioner Captain (r) Mushtaq Ahmed and SSP (operations) Najeebur Rehman Bugvi to apprise them of this matter. They also discussed another issue that took place a few days ago pertaining another Careem captain, Junaid Mustafa.

Junaid was shot dead as he tried to go against his robbers. This led to the staging of a strike in F9 Park on Friday, 23 February 2018. The drivers had refused to operate the cab service after 8 pm until their security was assured. Careem formed a security committee as a response to their demands. The committee had its first meeting on Monday 26 February, 2018. The outcome of the meeting is yet to be released to the press.

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Such incidents need to be addressed on a communal level as they are soiling the interests of foreign investors of the country.