Karachi Police’s Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) has arrested a serial car lifter from Ghotki who disguised himself as a worshipper at mosques to steal vehicles parked outside, uncovering a criminal record spanning 14 cases.
According to police, the accused, identified as Insaf Ali son of Mir Khan, would travel from Ghotki to Karachi solely to steal cars, later transporting the stolen vehicles to Quetta for sale.
The arrest followed CCTV footage that went viral on social media a few months ago, showing the suspect offering prayers at a mosque in an upscale area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal before skillfully stealing a parked Mehran and fleeing the scene immediately after.
Using the footage, the AVLC identified and tracked down the accused, who has been involved in criminal activities since 2000. His first case was registered 26 years ago on charges of car theft, with multiple cases following since.
SSP AVLC Khalid Mustafa Korai said the accused specialized in disguises and would typically strike during Fajr prayer timings, moving stolen vehicles out of Karachi before daybreak. He confessed to selling the stolen cars in Quetta, and police have also obtained details of the buyer, for whose arrest an AVLC team will travel to Quetta.
Korai said the accused spent minimal time in Karachi, fleeing directly to Ghotki after each theft. He added that AVLC’s efforts over the past nine years have significantly reduced car theft cases, with over 700 stolen vehicles recovered so far this year.
He urged citizens to install dual trackers in valuable vehicles, noting that car lifters typically disable one tracker, while the second can help police trace the vehicle and apprehend the culprits. Police said they are also closing in on other individuals linked to the accused during the investigation.
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