KARACHI: A shopkeeper at the historic Empress Market in the Saddar area has accused district administration officials of stealing expensive parrots during a late-night anti-encroachment operation.
Allegations of Illegal Entry
The affected shopkeeper, Rozi Khan, claimed that the administration launched the operation after sunset without any prior notice. He alleged that officials broke the locks and demolished walls of his closed shops to conduct the raid. According to Khan, three of his shops were subsequently sealed after the action.
Loss of Rare Birds
The shopkeeper reported that several high-value birds were missing following the operation. The allegedly stolen species include:
- African Grey Parrots
- Cockatoos
- Macaws
Rozi Khan stated that the total value of the missing birds amounts to millions of rupees, representing a devastating financial blow to his business.
Demand for Investigation
Seeking justice, the victim has appealed to higher authorities for an impartial inquiry into the district administration’s conduct. He demanded the immediate recovery of his valuable birds and a fair assessment of the damages caused during the operation.
While the district administration maintains that the drive was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in Saddar, the allegations of theft have raised serious concerns regarding the transparency of the process.
