18 women detained from massage parlour over ‘immoral activities’

E-Paper | March 12, 2026

KARACHI: Karachi police on Saturday evening detained at least 26 people, including 18 women from a massage parlour located in the Zamzama area of the metropolis.

Police officials alleged that those arrested were involved in objectionable activities.

A contingent from Clifton police station raided the parlour situated in Lane-1 of Zamzama Boulevard in Defence area of Karachi and detained the people present there.

The police official who carried out the raid claimed that they had received credible reports of ‘immoral activities’, other than make-up, that were allegedly taking place at the parlour.

He further said that a case has been registered against the arrested individuals and an inquiry has been initiated.

He added that the raid was conducted after complaints from the area residents and were aimed at giving a message to the parlours’ owners.

The police raid on the parlour was widely criticised on social media, with users commenting that the law enforcement agencies, instead of focusing on terrorists, targeted killers, extortionists and bank robbers, were diverting their attention towards the parlours, which should not be a priority.

Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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ayub

Nov 07, 2015 10:44pm

The opening of parlour house is not prohibited in law; however, if it is used for activities considered immoral in our society, and create a nuisance for the people living in the neighbourhood, then, of course, the law shall invoke for action.

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sri1

Nov 07, 2015 11:07pm

Very very funny, the statement - "credible reports of ‘immoral activities’, other than make-up" I salute you guys. Keep on this kind of policing.

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samad chaudhry

Nov 07, 2015 11:20pm

It reminds me of a story People of the city were angry that some immoral act was going on in city The find a place out of the city limit where women of ill repute moved and people were happy that their city is clean while could meet the girls in their new place of abode. Few days later a barber thought that visiting men need a barber and his business will be good. It worked and gradually a tailor also opened a shop and then sweet shop. Gradually shops built around the new place and they had all good business. In the centre was the place of ill famed girls and all around shops and business. A new city emerged. How to get rid of them now? I have seen such a new city Near Vitoria in Brazil.

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Harmony-1

Nov 07, 2015 11:21pm

Sensible suggestion in last paragraph!

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 07, 2015 11:49pm

Great job! Getting rid of immoral massage parlors and stage shows .

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Mr.T

Nov 08, 2015 12:00am

social media complaining, wow that's new. They know better what is priority and what is not. Anyhow Karachi is going more secure then ever it was from all aspect thanks to rangers & army only...

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Nkhan

Nov 08, 2015 12:26am

Why police should not raid a parlour or massage places if they r violating law of the land? Police is there to protect the law.But again the police should not miss use their power.

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Abdul Karim

Nov 08, 2015 01:25am

What a shame!

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independentthinker

Nov 08, 2015 01:58am

These "Objectionable" activities are in fact, the oldest profession in the world. They cannot be eradicated. They are happening in every country in the world and will continue to. To best protect the men and women who are engaged in these "objectionable" activities is to provide them with "safe' environment and not encourage them to go underground. This will protect them from being abused and from being infected with diseases.

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Shoaib

Nov 08, 2015 02:00am

If a certain amount of people is perturbed by public indecency, it is fair for the law enforcers to stop it.

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fazal

Nov 08, 2015 06:25am

there are no laws in pakistan for any bussiness and if there are laws no implimentations hence who ever gets a chance start doing wrong--sometimes ,those who run bussiness and othertimes law enforcing agencies--parlour bussiness has boomed in karachi and in many cases,illegal activities have become common under the supervision of political parties and those policemen who were appointed by political parties--all this becuase our electoral system allow the most corrupt and most criminals to come to power without any checks.

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Kwame

Nov 08, 2015 06:31am

For the first time, Pakistani police had done good work. Maybe it is a ruse.

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AXH

Nov 08, 2015 06:33am

Now, those men who were arrested are going to experience the "police massage".

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Nov 08, 2015 06:40am

no idea why to criticize Police for doing their duties by the social media! This raid is not supposed to take a lot of Police resources that we do hue and cry of their actions in social.

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Amin

Nov 08, 2015 07:29am

A much needed step by the administration.

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Royal Hubara hunter

Nov 08, 2015 08:24am

Escort services and maasge parlours often are fronts for prostitution where it is illegal. No government ever has been able to eliminate "immoral activities". Legislate for health and safety and control prostitution. Ohterwise, create legal employment for these people. No amount of preaching and condemnation will do.

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Nov 08, 2015 08:24am

Good job

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illawarrior

Nov 08, 2015 08:37am

@Khan- Pakistani There is a really, really, easy way to get rid of "massage parlours"/ brothels - men can simply stop going to them, and they will all be out of business very quickly.

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algoritmi

Nov 08, 2015 08:51am

@Harmony-1 Police also responsible for getting rid of prostitution.

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Rabbani maria

Nov 08, 2015 09:37am

@Shoaib lots of people are perturbed by the way people drive in Karachi .... So shouldn't the drivers that break all the rules also be arrested???

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concerned citizen of pakistan

Nov 08, 2015 10:22am

who are we kidding, I am sure these women they detained are now the victim of police brutality along with rape. so please give it a rest to your morale obligation and find out why these women went this route and we need to address the root cause as we in Pakistan too quick to judge others.

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Baaligh

Nov 08, 2015 11:14am

It is widely believed that most, if not all, massage parlours are convenient dens of immoral and sinful activities but they are rarely checked or raided either due to political influence or regular underhand payments to concerned officials.

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Saad

Nov 08, 2015 03:39pm

Being a resident of the area, i have only one thing to share. These activities, in the very first place, take place with the tacit collusion of the police. The place that was raided and atleast two others at Zamzama have 12hr police secuirty. On several occasions, i have myself witnessed the police 'dropping' off these 'now-termed' immoral girls to GOD knows where after closure of the business. These parlors are run by very influential political personalities. Now, they will mushroom elsewhere. Like someone suggested, force can not bring this down

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adi

Nov 09, 2015 02:22am

if they are immoral what about the men who go there??

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TALHA SHAHID

Nov 10, 2015 01:21am

How funny police of DHA "Credible report of Immoral activities, than make-up" No Police u r wrong only u guy are looking money making places. Why police are sleeping and not focusing on terrorists, targeted killers, extortionists & bank robbers, were diverting their attention towards the parlours, which should not be a priority. this wk there r robbery at Baladia town for Rs.2.7M, any answer police for this that they have any CREDIBLE INFO.

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illawarrior

Nov 10, 2015 06:00am

18 women, but only 8 men arrested. Am I the only one who thinks many men bribed their way out?

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Sailay

Nov 10, 2015 07:44am

@independentthinker This should not be happening whether underground or overground.

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