A domestic female worker was attacked with acid by an unidentified man in Karachi’s Upper Gizri area on Thursday, leaving her seriously burned, police said.
The incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Clifton police station. The 35-year-old victim, identified as Mumtaz, wife of Dehraj, was rushed to the burns ward of the Civil Hospital for treatment.
According to police, the woman was returning to eat at a Saylani Welfare dastarkhwan after completing work at a flat when an unidentified man, who was standing near the staircase, threw acid on her and fled on foot. Police reached the scene and called the Crime Scene Unit to collect evidence. An acid bottle was recovered near the staircase and handed over to the forensic team.
Police suspect that the attacker may also have suffered burns from the acid and fled the area on foot. An eyewitness told investigators that the suspect later asked an elderly woman in the area for water.
The victim told police in her initial statement that she did not know the attacker but would be able to identify him if she saw him again. Police are attempting to obtain CCTV footage from the area to identify the suspect. Police said the victim is originally from Bahawalpur and works as a domestic help.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took notice of the incident and condemned the attack. The CM directed the Karachi additional IG to ensure that the victim received the best possible medical treatment and ordered immediate arrest of the suspect and submission of a report.
The home minister sought an immediate and detailed report from the South SSP and directed police to use all available resources to arrest the suspect. He ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident, including the motive and other individuals involved behind the attack, and called for legal action to ensure that the suspect received punishment under the law.
Lanjar also directed the South SSP to personally supervise the investigation and keep him updated on progress, stressing that no negligence or delay in the suspect’s arrest would be tolerated.
