–Passenger alleges Uber staff of hindrance
–Investigation officer says ‘not aware that the incident took place’
LAHORE: An autorickshaw driver of the popular ride-hailing service, Uber Pakistan, on Monday fled after allegedly robbing a passenger of his luggage.
According to a complaint registered with the Ghalib Market Police Station, Hassan Butt was deprived of his mobile phone and other baggage while he withdrew cash from the ATM of a private bank located in the Gulberg area of the provincial capital.
Hassan Butt, who hails from Gujranwala and is a student at Forman Christian College (FCC), told Pakistan Today that the incident occurred when he hailed an Uber auto in the Gulberg II area and was going to Gulberg III.
Hassan said that he immediately lodged a complaint with the Ghalib Market Police Station against Uber driver Abdul and a separate one with Uber Pakistan Complaint Cell via email. He added that Uber’s complaint cell told him through a system generated mail that the issue would be resolved within the next 12 hours, however, he said that later he received another email seeking further details and stating that the issue would be resolved within the next 24 to 48 hours.
“I visited Uber Pakistan’s office located in Model Town but to no avail. They asked me to wait for 24 to 48 hours and be ready for cross-examination so that the issue is thoroughly investigated. I think the staff is not willing to address my complaint as they even refused to share their official contact numbers,” Hassan said and added that the total worth of his valuables was around Rs40,000. He also said the Ghalib Market Police too had not contacted him for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) despite the lapse of 24 hours.
Ghalib Market Police Station sub-inspector and apparent investigation officer of the case, Altaf, told this correspondent that he was on leave and was not aware of the incident.
“Probably an online complaint was lodged and the system handed me the case, but I am in my native town near Faisalabad where there is no internet and cellular service is weak,” he said and added that he was unable to receive any online official notifications.
“I will resume my duty on Wednesday (today) and launch the probe if a complaint has been registered,” he said further.
