KARACHI, July 13: A couple who returned to the city after staying 45 years in Britain was deprived of all their valuables in a house burglary in Gulshan-i-Iqbal.

“We returned to Karachi in connection with the marriage of my only son, but we have lost all our earnings in this burglary,” said a dejected Mrs Zulfiqar Ali.

As we were told that banks were not safe as people got robbed while coming out of banks, we kept the valuables at home, she said.

On July 2, when the family returned to their flat in `Karachi Apartments’ in Block 11 Gulshan-i-Iqbal, they found the doors broken.

“I have informed the British High Commission, also met a DIG and lodged an FIR at the Gulistan-i-Jauhar police station. But will I be able to get back my valuables?” she asked.

“They tell me that police are also involved with criminals. I don’t know who to trust here. They told me that such things happen in the United Kingdom also, but in Britain at least one can have full trust in police,” Mrs Zulfiqar said.

As the family was not used to domestic help in Britain they didn’t kept any “maasi” at their apartment nor they had told anyone in the apartment building about the purpose of their visit to Karachi, she said.

The family has suffered a loss of Rs2.2 million in the dacoity in terms of cash, foreign currency and jewellery.

After coming to Karachi in April, this was not her first experience.

On July 3, Mrs Zulfiqar, her brother-in-law and son were held at gunpoint by a man who deprived them of their cellphones and cash.

“We had seen mangoes after a long time. After purchasing the fruits, a man barged into our car and held us at gunpoint threatening to kill us demanding our cellphones. At that time I was advised not to go to the police as it would bring more trouble,” Mrs Zulfiqar recalled.