Karachi: Widow of martyred constable says she's being threatened to vacate govt residence

A widow residing in the Aram Bagh Police Quarters in Karachi alleged that she was threatened to vacate her government-allotted residence by a driver of a police official. She was previously evicted from her home despite longstanding assurances from the police department that she would be allowed to stay.

The woman, whose late husband Constable Rustam Ali Shahid died in the line of duty in 2017, said that she had been promised continued residence in the quarters provided until she does not remarry. 

She further stated that the family was also assured that one of her three sons would be offered a job in the police force. However, to date, no such employment has materialised despite repeated appeals.

The widow recounted a harrowing series of events, including a house fire that destroyed all her belongings, adding that she rebuilt the home using her husband’s pension and government benefits. 

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However, her ordeal escalated when she claimed the driver of the Additional Inspector General (IG) Karachi, identified as Kashif, allegedly had the same quarters re-allotted to him.

According to Rustom’s widow, she was given a 15-day notice to vacate, and shortly after, she was called to the Mithadar Police Station under false pretences. 

During her hours-long stay there, her daughter received a phone call informing her that their home had been occupied.

The widow claims that during this time, the police assisted in the forcible eviction of her family and that valuables, including money in cash and four tolas of gold, were stolen from the house.

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She was able to reclaim possession of the quarters with the help of local residents. However, she alleged that driver Kashif is threatening to file a false FIR against her and her sons.

The widow expressed serious concern for her safety and that of her children, warning that if any harm comes to them, responsibility will rest with the Additional IG’s driver.

She appealed to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, the Chief Minister of Sindh, and the Inspector General of Police, Sindh, to intervene and provide justice

. Her demands include being allowed to remain in her government-allocated residence and that one of her sons be given a job in the police force, without the need to pay bribes or use influence.