Karachi University professor subjected to ‘severe torture'

KARACHI: A University of Karachi professor was allegedly subjected to severe torture after a double-cabin vehicle hit the online taxi he was travelling in near the city's Safoora Chowrangi, police said on Tuesday. Arif Saqi, who is the KU Department of Islamic Learning's chairperson, said: 'I was travelling to the University of Karachi in an online taxi when a double-cabin [vehicle] hit it.' Giving details of the incident, the senior professor said the double-cabin vehicle was coming out of a parking area when guards signalled the taxi to stop. The vehicle then reversed and hit the taxi, causing damage to it, Saqi added. The professor said that he asked the people in the vehicle to compensate the driver for the damage. Saqi said the hotel owner's son then got out of the vehicle and fired two shots. 'The hotel owner's son hit me with pistol butts and carried out aerial firing,' the professor said. Police said they had detained three employees of a local hotel over the alleged assault on the senior KU professor. Police officials said that a search was underway to arrest other people involved in the incident. A case was registered at Sachal police station on the complaint of Professor Saqi against Kunein Ali Gohar Shah and others, the police confirmed. The FIR includes charges of attempted murder, assault, causing injuries and wrongful confinement. Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought a detailed report on the alleged 'mistreatment and illegal confinement' of the KU professor from the SSP East. The home minister said the dignity, respect and safety of teachers would be ensured at all costs. He vowed to take action against those involved in the incident in accordance with the law. The SSP East said legal action would be taken against all three suspects.