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KABUL – A mob of Afghan residents has allegedly descended upon a team of Customs officials, accompanied by police and paramilitary rangers in Pakistan’s Karachi city in a confrontation that erupted as the authorities carried out a raid to seize smuggled goods from a bustling market in one of the city’s main commercial areas.
The incident occurred on Tariq Road during the nighttime on Monday and has stirred widespread attention after a video capturing the chaos went viral. The footage depicts dozens of Afghan individuals armed with sticks pursuing the Customs officials and the vehicles of the accompanying police and rangers.
Tariq Road, known as one of Karachi’s busiest commercial centers, is home to numerous fabric and clothing shops located in shopping malls and markets, predominantly owned by Afghan entrepreneurs who have sought refuge in the city after fleeing their homeland.
Sources within the Customs vigilance department have confirmed the incident, stating that the team had been dispatched with police and rangers’ support following verified intelligence reports. These reports indicated that smuggled cloth and fabrics worth millions of rupees were being openly sold by Afghan shop owners on Tariq Road.
It is noteworthy that many Afghan refugees in Pakistan have successfully established businesses, primarily in Karachi and other regions of the country. These businesses predominantly deal in clothing, fabrics, carpets, curtains, and rugs, with shops and outlets in nearly all major commercial centers and malls across Karachi.
A senior police official clarified that this particular raid was unrelated to the government’s recent announcement concerning the return of Afghan nationals living illegally in Pakistan. The official explained, “It is a case of smuggling that takes place between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the smuggled goods are openly sold in major markets of Karachi and other cities.”
The video footage portrays the chaotic scene as the Afghan residents pursued the raiding party with sticks, causing damage to vehicles and shattering glass in the area. The incident has raised concerns about the challenges posed by smuggling activities and the need for effective law enforcement in the region.
