NEW DEHLI: Trade fair Aalishan Pakistan was hit by robbers and thieves as traders reported missing designer clothing items on the last day.

A report in the Indian Express quotes police sources as saying that three First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered on Friday by Pakistani sellers for the theft of clothes brought by them.

In the first case, a Lahore trader reports that a woman walked into his stalls and allegedly stole six pieces of expensive clothing. The woman, named Sapna, who says she lives in Trilokpuri, was caught by other shopkeepers and later handed over to the police.

Another complaint was lodged by a Karachi seller, who said a woman took clothes from his shop and fled without paying. The woman was later identified as one Nirmal Kaur of Shahdara, and was caught by shopkeepers and visitors after a chase. Some expensive clothes were recovered.

Later, the same stall witnessed another theft, as a man was found to be in possession of clothing from different Pakistani brands with no bills of purchase. Identified as one Vikas from Shahdara, he later admitted he had stolen the goods.

New Delhi’s additional commissioner of police SBS Tyagi said the police had not received a complaint from the organisers or the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation regarding the alleged theft.

A senior police officer requesting anonymity said, “Thousands of people visit each stall so one has to be alert. They can have their own staff look out for those who are trying to take advantage of the chaos.”

Chairperson of Fashion Pakistan and one of the organisers of Aalishan Pakistan, Sanam Chaudhri said, “I had no knowledge of these FIRs. I too had a stall at the exhibition and, while security was okay, it could have been tighter. I do know that designer Huma Adnan of label FNKAsia lost jewellery pieces.”

Huma Adnan confirmed that her clothing items were stolen. “A black, Kutch-inspired anklet worth Rs15,000 went missing on the second day of the exhibition, she said. “I wanted to file an FIR but didn’t.”

“From next time, we hope better arrangements will be made,” she added.

Aalishan Pakistan was a four-day exhibition that allowed exhibitors to showcase their products in 320 stalls ranging from garments to textiles. An art exhibition for young artists, a fashion show, business-to-business meeting of Pakistani exporters with Indian firms, and a business seminar was also held at the sidelines of the event.

A high-profile delegation of leading businessmen attended the trade fair.