Woman injured in acid attack in Karachi’s Upper Gizri, police say

KARACHI: A 35-year-old woman suffered from an acid attack in Upper Gizri of Karachi on Thursday, police reported.

As per police, an unknown individual threw acid on the woman in the area of Nasir Filter Plant in Upper Gizri in the jurisdiction of Clifton Police Station resulting in burn injuries to the victim.

The woman was shifted to the Burns Unit at Civil Hospital, Karachi, by an Edhi ambulance for medical assistance. Police stated that investigations were being carried out.

Dr Summaiya Syed, the police surgeon, told that the victim suffered burns to the extent of 15 per cent of her face, neck and abdomen.

Meanwhile, South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza said the woman’s husband was living in Punjab with another wife, while her three sons also resided there with their father.

The DIG said the woman worked at a bungalow in Clifton and was on her way home to Upper Gizri when an unidentified attacker allegedly threw acid at her. Police were working to obtain CCTV footage to help identify the suspect and establish the motive for the attack, he added.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took serious notice of the incident and sought an immediate, detailed report from the South senior superintendent of police (SSP), according to a statement from his office.

Lanjar directed police to mobilise all available resources to arrest the suspect without delay and initiate legal proceedings against him. He also ordered a thorough investigation to establish the facts and determine the motive, including whether any other individuals were involved.

The home minister further instructed authorities to ensure that the victim received the best possible medical care and that she and her family were provided with all necessary legal and administrative support.

He stressed that there should be zero tolerance for serious crimes such as acid attacks and said no negligence or delay in the investigation or arrest would be accepted.

Lanjar also directed the South SSP to personally oversee the investigation, regularly brief him on its progress and ensure that all legal requirements for securing justice for the victim were completed promptly.

The incident comes after a similar acid attack in June, when 29-year-old Mahnoor Nasir suffered serious injuries at Quetta Civil Hospital after another employee allegedly threw acid on her.

Police later identified the attacker as Humayun Shah, who was reportedly killed in an encounter after law enforcement traced him while he was attempting to escape on a bus. Dr Nasir was subsequently moved to Karachi for further treatment after receiving initial care in Quetta.

In August, the Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, described acid attacks as more heinous than homicide, saying such crimes can condemn victims to a “living death.”