LEGAL
Justice Zafar Rajput of the Sindh High Court has summoned a police inspector over allegations of harassment and threats issued to a hotel manager in Saddar, Karachi, for accommodating foreign nationals, specifically Chinese citizens.
The hearing was held following a petition filed by the hotel’s management, accusing police officials of intimidation and interference in their business operations.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, police warned the hotel management that action would be taken if they continued providing accommodation to Chinese nationals. The police, however, denied the harassment claims.
During the proceedings, Justice Zafar Rajput expressed skepticism regarding the police's narrative. “The actions of the police are such that it is difficult to believe them,” he remarked. He questioned the authenticity of a statement allegedly submitted by the Station House Officer (SHO).
The court pointed out that the statement submitted was authored by Sub-Inspector Abdul Qayyum, not the SHO himself, and lacked other officials' signatures. The petitioner’s lawyer explained that Qayyum had written the statement on the SHO’s behalf.
The judge criticized this procedure, stating, “Since when did the SHO become such a senior officer that someone else should file a statement on his behalf?” He called the act a misrepresentation and chastised those responsible.
The courtroom saw police and the government’s legal representatives offering apologies. Justice Rajput further criticized the manner in which hotel managers are summoned and threatened by law enforcement officials.
“What law allows white-clad managers to be dragged to police stations and threatened with lock-up?” he questioned. “The job of the departments is to protect citizens, not harass them and destroy their businesses.”
Highlighting that law enforcement has the authority to check passports and guest records legally at hotels, the judge emphasized that harassment and abuse of power would not be tolerated.
The court has summoned Inspector Agha Mashooq Ali and ordered him to submit an affidavit by May 14, warning that such misconduct by officials will be dealt with seriously.
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