The Sindh Minister for Culture has taken notice of a viral obscene video allegedly recorded inside the historic Naukot Fort, triggering administrative action and a formal police investigation into the incident.
Fort Guard Arrested as Investigation Begins
Following the emergence of the video, Vejhoto police arrested a fort guard, Walam Bheel, and shifted him to an undisclosed location for interrogation. Law enforcement officials said the arrest was made as part of an ongoing probe into possible misconduct and criminal activity within the heritage site.
Blackmail Gang Suspected at Heritage Site
According to police sources, initial findings suggest that visitors involved in intimate acts inside the fort were secretly filmed and later blackmailed. Authorities believe an organized blackmailing network may have been operating at the fort for several years, allegedly with the assistance of a guard.
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Sources further claimed that visitors were offered secluded areas within the fort in exchange for money, where hidden recordings were made and later used to extort the victims. Several such videos are reportedly circulating.
Officials Say Incident Not Isolated
A former retired guard, Aachar Bheel, claimed that the viral video was nearly a year old. However, police officials stated that evidence gathered so far points to a systematic pattern of exploitation, rather than a one-time incident.
Previous Administrative Action at Naukot Fort
In August last year, Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah conducted a surprise inspection of Naukot Fort, during which several employees were suspended for absenteeism. Those employees were later reinstated, according to official records.
Tourism and Heritage Concerns Raised
Residents and visitors have expressed serious concern, warning that the circulation of obscene content linked to historical and cultural heritage sites could cause lasting damage to tourism in Sindh.
They also questioned the accountability of the fort staff, noting that an entry fee of Rs50 is charged and that thousands of rupees are reportedly collected daily.
Journalists Allege Misconduct by Police Officer
Journalists seeking an official response from SHO Amin Junejo alleged that he behaved rudely and issued threats during questioning. The matter has reportedly been escalated to the SSP Tharparkar for review.
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Meanwhile, social and political leaders from Naukot and surrounding areas have demanded a transparent investigation and strict legal action against those responsible. They have urged the prime minister, Sindh chief minister, and provincial culture minister to intervene to protect Sindh’s historical heritage and restore public confidence in the management of cultural sites.
