Event organiser flees with phones of 51 women at Karachi farmhouse

Job event takes unexpected turn

The women had reportedly travelled to the farmhouse in two buses after being invited to what they believed was a job opportunity or corporate event.

According to police, the organiser told the women that mobile phone use and video recording were not allowed during the event. The women were then asked to hand over their phones. The devices were collected and, according to reports, receipts were attached to them.

The situation changed when the organiser allegedly left the farmhouse with the phones. Police said they were investigating the incident and working to trace those involved.

Women were reportedly promised jobs

One of the affected women said they had been invited on the promise of employment.

According to her account, the women were told they would take part in an event activity involving different brands and would receive food and Rs2,000. They were also reportedly told that transport would be provided for the activity and that they would receive training to set up stalls.

The women were expecting to visit a private society but were instead taken to a farmhouse in the Gadap area. They were reportedly told that their boss would hold a meeting and speak to them at the venue. The women waited for the meeting to begin, but the expected event did not take place.

Phones collected before organiser disappears

According to police, the organiser used the event rules as a reason to collect the women’s mobile phones.

The organiser allegedly told them that phone use could disturb a speech or meeting and asked them to place their devices at one location. After collecting the phones, the organiser reportedly left the farmhouse.

According to reports, 51 women had their phones collected before the organisers allegedly fled from the venue. Police were investigating the incident and had not reported an arrest at the time of its report.

Farmhouse management questioned

The farmhouse manager was taken into custody for questioning, and police recorded his statement.

Farmhouse management said they had been informed that a corporate event was being arranged at the venue. According to the management, they were told that around 50 to 55 women would attend the event and that a senior person would deliver a speech.

The management also said the booking had been made by a person identified as Waqas, who did not arrive at the farmhouse. A man identified by the management as Asif or Salman reportedly arrived at the venue with a woman.

Management says payment was also pending

The farmhouse management said they had not received payment for hosting the event.

According to the manager, the agreed event time had passed, and he contacted the organisers about the payment. He was reportedly told that the person responsible for the payment was on the way.

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Later, the farmhouse staff were informed that the man who had collected the mobile phones had left the premises with them. The management said it had no prior indication that the event would result in the loss of the women’s phones.

Police record statements from affected women

After discovering that their phones were missing, the affected women approached Gadap police. Police recorded their statements as part of the investigation.

Authorities are also examining the details of the farmhouse booking and trying to identify everyone involved in arranging the event.

The investigation is expected to focus on how the women were contacted, who arranged their transport, and who collected the phones. Police are also working to determine where the stolen devices were taken.

CM orders action against those responsible

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed authorities to ensure the immediate arrest of those responsible. The order came as police continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Authorities are also making efforts to recover the mobile phones belonging to the affected women. The case has raised concerns because the women were reportedly brought to the venue after being offered what appeared to be a job opportunity.

Investigation continues

Police are now looking into the identities of the people involved in organising the event. Officials are also expected to examine the booking records and statements provided by the farmhouse management and affected women.

The exact number of phones taken and their current location will become clearer as the investigation progresses. The incident has also highlighted the need for job seekers to verify employment offers before attending unfamiliar events or handing over personal belongings.

What happens next?

Police will continue efforts to trace the organiser and recover the phones. Investigators are also examining whether the event was deliberately arranged to deceive the women.

Further action will depend on the findings of the investigation and the evidence collected from the affected women, farmhouse management, and other people connected to the booking.