Latest news with #ZeeshanShafiqSiddiqui
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Guard abets Eid break bank heist
Armed suspects, aided by an on-duty security guard, looted gold ornaments worth billions of rupees from a microfinance bank in North Nazimabad during the Eid holidays. The robbers cut open 22 out of 30 lockers using gas cutters, escaping with the gold, CCTV DVR, and other security equipment. According to police officials, the heist occurred between the night of June 7 and the early hours of June 9 at a bank located in Block D, North Nazimabad. The suspects also took the DVR of the bank's CCTV cameras, the security guard's pistol and repeater shotgun, and a mobile phone before fleeing the scene. Upon being informed, officers including SP Gulberg Division, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) North Nazimabad, and SHO reached the scene. The Crime Scene Unit and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) were also summoned for collecting evidence. Police took Amanullah, the night-shift security guard posted at the bank, into custody. During the preliminary investigation, Amanullah confessed to unlocking the bank's gate to let 10 to 12 armed men enter. The suspects reportedly arrived in a white car and a blue rickshaw, carrying welding equipment used to cut through the lockers. SSP Central Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqui said that the suspects had brought a complete set of welding tools and iron rods. He claimed that the arrests will be made soon as the detained security guard is cooperating in identifying his accomplices. The police also revealed that prior advisories had been issued to banks, including the affected microfinance bank, regarding holiday security protocols. A case of robbery has been registered based on a complaint from bank manager Amir Iqbal. According to the FIR, the bank operates a gold-backed loan service and stores customer collateral in lockers on the ground floor. During the Eid holidays, security personnel from a security guard company were deployed in shifts - two guards from 8am to 8pm and Amanullah from 8pm to 8am. The complaint details that on the night of June six, five individuals entered the bank via the ATM booth entrance after Amanullah opened the door. Although Amanullah later claimed he was tied up with his own trouser drawstring, investigators believe this may have been staged. The robbers then used gas cutters to break open 22 lockers and remove the gold inside. They attempted to cut into two safes containing additional gold and cash but failed. While the cash remained untouched, the robbers escaped with a significant quantity of gold jewellery. The suspects also tried to erase evidence by stealing the CCTV DVR system and the guard's weapons. Police continue their investigation, with surveillance and intelligence teams working to trace the gang's movements and recover the stolen property.
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Express Tribune
BISP beneficiaries protest over illegal cuts
A woman shares her ordeal of illegal deduction from BISP allocations allegedly by officials at a government school in New Karachi. Photo: express Women staged a protest in a government school situated in New Karachi, over alleged deductions from payments being distributed under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). They accused the staff of bribery and harassment. On receiving reports of the protest, officers from Bilal Colony police and other officials reached the scene. According to a statement, issued by SSP Central Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqui, authorities received information about alleged deductions from BISP payments at the New Karachi Government School. The affected women staged a protest inside the school, accusing the staff of taking bribes and harassing them. It was alleged that the staff was deducting amounts ranging from Rs2,000 to over Rs3,000 from different individuals. Besides the deductions, women also alleged, they were being harassed inside the school premises. SSP Central stated that police are currently gathering more information and conducting further investigation into the allegations made by the women. DSP New Karachi was present at the site along with police personnel, while district administration officials were also present at the school. When contacted, SHO Bilal Colony Nasir Khan confirmed that the police recorded statements of the affected women regarding the allegations of deductions at the government school located in New Karachi's Sector 5-E. Senior officers have been informed, and further legal action will be taken based on their directives. Video statements of women, who had gone to collect their BISP payments, have also gone viral on social media. In the videos, women allege that they were harassed, money was allegedly deducted, bribes were demanded, and they were called into separate rooms, among other accusations. Some women also stated that they had been visiting the centre for several days to collect their payments but were still not paid.
