Hum News senior journalist robbed of cash, valuables

ISLAMABAD: Nadir Baloch, a senior journalist and producer at HUM News, was deprived of cash and valuables in the upscale F-6 sector of Islamabad late Thursday night.

The incident took place when Baloch, after finishing work for the day, was sitting with friends at a hotel in the F-6 area. A lone mugger suddenly confronted him, snatching his bag within seconds before fleeing the scene. The bag contained cash, keys, a mic and other valuables worth Rs0.1 million.

Baloch recounted that the mugger appeared out of nowhere. He said that he chased the suspect, who quickly disappeared into nearby bushes. Two or three waiters from the hotel joined the chase, and one of them spotted the mugger. However, the criminal swiftly jumped over a wall and entered a house.

Also read: Senior journalist looted at gun point in Islamabad

Baloch added that the mugger fled from that house, scaled another wall, and disappeared into another residence. The senior journalist said that the pursuit had to be abandoned as they feared the security staff of the house might react and open fire.

After the mugger escaped, a shaken Nader Baloch immediately reported the incident to the Kohsar Police Station and filed a formal complaint.

“I’ve lived in this city my whole life and never experienced something like this. It was terrifying,” Baloch said. He voiced concerns not just about his own safety, but about the rising street crime in Islamabad, a city once regarded as one of the safest in Pakistan.

This incident is part of a broader pattern. In recent months, residents of Islamabad have raised alarms over the increasing frequency of robberies and muggings. The once-peaceful capital has become a hub for criminal activity, with many attributing the rise in crime to the worsening economic situation and growing unemployment.

Reports of snatchings, home invasions, and car thefts have surged, with many victims describing the muggers’ methods as swift and well-planned, often targeting individuals alone at night.