Summary Shahzad had threatened to blow himself up if police tried to arrest him.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – An armed man who held hostage the entire staff of a private company on gunpoint has surrendered, police said Tuesday, after negotiating with him for more than two hours.
Saleem Shahzad reportedly broke into his ‘former’ office in Super Highway area Tuesday where he threatened to blow himself up if police tried to arrest him. He had warned of consequences if his demands were not accepted.
Malir SSP Munir Sheikh said the man suffered from mental illness and was fired from his job owing to the factory making loss.
"He was holding three people hostage when the security forces arrived. His threat was just a hoax. There was no bomb," he added.
In a video available with Dunya News, Shahzad claimed he was affiliated with the organisation but was fired after he sustained injury two months ago.
According to Shahzad, the owner also owed him two-month salary.
The man said he took such a step on behalf of rest of the labourers, many of whom, he complained, did not support him two months ago. Shahzad added he wanted to record his statement before the chief justice and army chief.
“The system is full of flaws… it is not working as it should be. Democracy does not suit this country. These hostages here have not paid me my dues,” he said.
SSP Sheikh said Shahzad handed himself in after assurance from the authorities he would get his dues. "He wanted to appear on camera."
