Karachi police officer faces backlash for being ‘rude’ to Afghan refugee

KARACHI: A Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officer of Karachi police, Aleena Rajper, has come under intense criticism on the social media platform Twitter for her purportedly ‘rude behaviour’ towards an Afghan refugee during an inspection visit to Karachi’s Sohrab Goth area.

SP Rajpar, alongside Karachi Superintendents of Police (SP) Faiza Sodhar, conducted a search operation targeting alleged illegal Afghan refugees in the Sohrab Goth neighbourhood.

The operation involved inquiries about expired identity cards, but a video circulating on social media captured a moment where SP Rajper asked an individual about his father’s name, resulting in a significant backlash due to perceived inappropriate language and behaviour.

Migrant child talks about unfair treatment

According to a tweet shared by Sindh police, Afghan refugee child Hassan said in a video that he and his parents were present at the office for attestation documents when a woman asked him to sweep.

According to Hassan, thea woman at the office instructed him to sweep the yard in exchange for a promised payment of Rs100. Hassan said he complied, however, the promised payment was not fulfilled.

Hassan’s uncle Khan Muhammad, accompanying his nephew, shared a similar account, stating that the woman in question also instructed his nephew to sweep for a promised payment of a hundred rupees. Despite the completed task, the promised compensation was not provided, he said.

Meanwhile, Afghan refugees’ chairman Haji Abdullah highlighted the positive attitude of the police, emphasizing the need to address such incidents promptly.

Haji Abdullah a deliberate plan was being hatched to defame the police and institution, urging an investigation into the matter. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive image and suggested that isolated incidents should not tarnish the overall reputation of law enforcement.

PEMRA Official Expresses Displeasure

Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo, the regional director of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), took to Twitter to express her displeasure regarding the video circulating on social media platforms. In a poignant message, Wattoo emphasized the importance of humility in public service and criticized what she termed as a ‘rude class’ of officials who sometimes treat citizens poorly.

Wattoo further delved into the broader issue, pointing out the potential helplessness of individuals seeking assistance from officials who exhibit arrogance. She urged public servants to reflect on their role, emphasizing that the great women leaders of the world did not exhibit such qualities. Wattoo’s post on Twitter ignited a broader conversation about the conduct of public officials and the need for empathy in public service.

Demands for Accountability

As the video continues to circulate on social media, there is a growing call for accountability and reflection within the law enforcement community.

The incident underscores the challenges of maintaining respectful interactions with the public, particularly in sensitive situations involving marginalized communities.

Authorities are expected to investigate the matter, and the incident serves as a reminder of the broader issues surrounding professionalism and empathy in public service.