RAWALPINDI: A 22-year old driver of a private cab service was killed in an armed robbery in Lakho, Naseerabad Monday night.
This is the second time in three weeks that a Careem driver has been killed in an armed robbery.
Sajawal Ameer, who worked for Careem parttime, was found injured in some fields in Lakho by locals who informed the police and rescue services.
Sajawal was shot five times and was taken to a private hospital first and then to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he died Tuesday morning. His body was handed over to the family after a post-mortem.
According to Superintendent of Police Potohar Division Syed Ali, Sajawal belonged to Bhakar and worked at the AFIC Hospital. He worked as a driver with Careem part time to earn extra money.
He is said to have taken out the cab at about 8:30pm Monday night and picked up a customer from the Dewan-i-Khas banquet hall. The rider had not specified the drop-off location.
SP Ali said Sajawal was directed towards Lakho where he was robbed of the car, the money he had on him and his mobile phone after which he was shot five times.
“According to evidence collected from the crime scene, the victim was shot while he was trying to run through the fields,” Naseerabad Station House Officer Chaudhry Akhtar told Dawn.
He said a case of robbery and murder have been registered and that the police are investigating different aspects.
“It is uncommon for victims to be shot more than one or two times in robbery cases,” he said.
According to data provided to the police by Careem, Sajawal had been driving a private taxi, owned by one Amir Mushtaq since Oct 14, 2017. The car was found later abandoned near Choor Chowk.
The owner of the cab and Sajawal’s roommate, Amir Mushtaq told Dawn that Sajawal dropped him off at the Mall before he went to pick the ride.
He said he sent a text message to Sajawal at about 9:30pm but did not receive a response. He said he then received a call from a local number at 10:37pm and that he could hear Sajawal’s screams in the background.
“The caller told me he was taking Sajawal to a private hospital,” he said.
Careem representatives appealed to the police to take strict notice of the incident and ensure the safety of residents of the twin cities.
Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2018
