KARACHI – In a chilling “short-term kidnapping” incident, a young resident of Gulistan-e-Jauhar was abducted near the Jinnah International Airport and robbed of thousands of dollars in digital currency, along with high-end electronics.
The Incident
The victim, identified as Mutaal Khan, was en route to the airport via an online taxi service to catch a flight to Lahore at approximately 8:30 PM. According to the victim, the taxi stopped for fuel near the airport. Shortly after resuming the journey, a white double-cabin vehicle intercepted them. Armed men emerged from the vehicle and forced Khan out of the cab under the false pretext that he had been involved in a hit-and-run accident involving a high-ranking police official’s aide.
The Digital Robbery
Once inside the kidnappers’ vehicle, the victim was subjected to physical and mental torture. The culprits gained access to his mobile phone and forced him to transfer $8,600 (USD) from his digital currency account to theirs. The victim further stated that the kidnappers contacted his friends during the ordeal to demand more money. They also snatched two mobile phones, including an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a laptop, and other personal belongings.
Release and Police Action
After being held for nearly two and a half hours, Khan was dropped off in the Korangi Industrial Area around 11:00 PM, from where he managed to reach home via a rickshaw.
Police Status: The Airport Police Station has registered FIR No. 52/2026 under section 365-A/34. The case has now been transferred to the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) for specialized investigation. The victim has nominated four unidentified but “recognizable” suspects in the FIR. The SSP Malir confirmed that authorities are gathering information to track the suspects and the vehicle involved.
