KARACHI, Nov 21: Several people were robbed at gunpoint in front of Expo Centre on Monday night where tight security was in place for Ideas 2006.

One of the victims was a member of the team that organized Ideas. He told Dawn that he and his associate went out for a break at around 11:30pm when President Musharraf left after the inauguration of Ideas.

He said when they crossed University Road and went to the street across the venue three armed men took them into an optician’s shop at gunpoint.

He said, “There were customers inside the shop; the suspects deprived us of money, wristwatches and cellphones. Three of their accomplices were present outside the shop. After the robbery they escaped on three motorcycles, the victim said.

“They committed the crime with such impunity making us feel that all the security was only for VVIPs”, the victim complained.

Asked if they lodged an FIR about the incident, the vicitm said they could not leave duty and there was no point in reporting the matter to the police.

The victim said he was amazed how criminals fled when heavy deployment of law enforcers was made.