We, the undersigned citizens of Pakistan, strongly condemn a shameful and discriminatory incident that took place at Dolmen Mall Karachi against students of a Government High School from Mirpurkhas.

Watch complete incident video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Z9JpwXD5S/

On a picnic day, a group of government school children travelled all the way from Mirpurkhas to Karachi. For many of them, it was the first time in their lives visiting the city and seeing a large shopping mall in their own country. Their families and school spent precious time and money so that these children could enjoy a simple day out and see what many of us take for granted.

When they arrived at Dolmen Mall Karachi, the security staff at the entrance stopped them and refused to let them in. There was no misbehaviour, no security issue and no valid reason given. The only “justification” was that they were government school students and they “looked poor”.

This behaviour is not only morally disgusting and inhumane – it is also against the law and the Constitution of Pakistan.

Violation of Constitutional Rights

• Article 14(1): “The dignity of man shall be inviolable.”
  Dolmen Mall’s security publicly humiliated these children and treated them as if they were not worthy of entering the mall, attacking their basic human dignity.
• Article 25(1): “All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of law.”
  These children are citizens of Pakistan. Welcoming “rich-looking” people while rejecting poor children is clear class-based discrimination.
• Article 26(1): “There shall be no discrimination against any citizen in the access to places of public entertainment or resort.”
  Dolmen Mall is a public place of entertainment. Stopping children at the gate simply because they are from a government school and appear poor is a direct violation of this article.

Dolmen Mall operates in Pakistan, not in a private kingdom for the elite. A commercial mall does not have the moral or legal right to run a system of class apartheid at its gates. Being born poor is not a crime. What is criminal is the arrogant, heartless treatment shown to these children.

These students came with dreams and excitement to see Karachi and visit a famous mall they had heard about. Instead, they were made to feel like second-class humans in their own country. Such incidents deepen social divides and send a cruel message to poor and middle-class families that they do not belong in certain spaces.

A formal complaint about this incident has already been filed on the Pakistan Citizen Portal and forwarded to the relevant authorities and law-and-order departments. This petition is to publicly register our protest and demand accountability and reform.

Our Demands

As concerned citizens and customers, we demand from Dolmen Mall Karachi Management:

1. A public written apology to the affected students, their school, their teachers and their families, acknowledging that what happened was wrong and unacceptable.
2. A serious internal inquiry to identify the security staff and supervisors involved in denying entry and humiliating the children.
3. Strict disciplinary action against all individuals responsible for this discriminatory behaviour, with the outcome publicly shared.
4. A clear Non-Discrimination Policy to be adopted and displayed prominently at all entrances, stating that no citizen will be denied entry because of their clothes, appearance, school, language or economic background, as long as they follow security and behavioural rules.
5. Mandatory training for all security and front-line staff on basic constitutional rights, respect for human dignity and anti-discrimination principles.
6. A restorative gesture towards the affected children – inviting the same group of students back for a respectful, hosted visit, with an assurance that such humiliation will never happen again.

Dolmen Mall brands itself as a modern, world-class shopping destination. A truly world-class place does not shut its doors on poor children; it welcomes all citizens with dignity and equality.

Until Dolmen Mall Karachi openly apologizes, holds those responsible to account, and implements clear non-discriminatory policies, we consider it an unsafe and hostile environment for poor and middle-class families, especially children.

By signing this petition, we call upon:

• Dolmen Mall Karachi Management
• Relevant government authorities
• Human rights and child rights bodies
• The wider public and media

to ensure that no child in Pakistan is ever again turned away from a public mall simply because they “look poor” or attend a government school.

Every child deserves respect. Every citizen deserves equal access. We demand justice, accountability and change.