KARACHI: Additional Inspector General Police (IGP) Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh reached burns ward of Civil hospital on Sunday to pay a visit to the rickshaw driver who suffered severe burns on Saturday after self-immolation in a protest against alleged extortion by traffic police officers.
Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh said he tried to provide financial assistance to help the victim, but the man and his family refused to take any money.
The rickshaw driver’s brother spoke to the media about the incident and said, “Shahid (rickshaw driver) was occupied in the preparations for his marriage and he is a man who has never been involved in any brawl with anyone before.”
“After my brother set himself on fire, the assistant sub-inspector (ASI) said if you want to set ablaze, do it, so that I also get rid of you,” Shahid’s driver stated.
A day earlier, Shahid sprinkled oil on his body and set himself alight near the city police office in Saddar.
Sindh IGP Dr Syed Kaleem Imam took notice of the incident and ordered the DIG traffic to carry out an inquiry into the matter and submit a report to him.
In his statement being shared on social media, Shahid alleged “ASI Mohammed Hanif had been extracting Rs100 from him on a daily basis. I gave the policeman Rs50 on Saturday, but he insisted on Rs100 and on refusal the ASI handed me a challan.”
According to details, the incident took place as a protest against the alleged extortion by the police officer, as the rickshaw driver was recorded saying that he was ‘frustrated’ with the daily challan and alleged ‘extortion’ by the traffic police.
The rickshaw driver was admitted to the Burns Centre of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital for treatment.