Rs65m Edhi heist sparks protest

Employees' families demand recovery of stolen salary funds, arrests; Faisal Edhi urges CM to ensure justice

KARACHI:

A Rs65 million robbery at an Edhi Foundation centre has triggered protests in Karachi, with employees' families, labour groups, civil society activists and citizens demanding the immediate arrest of the suspects and recovery of money meant to pay the salaries of low-income workers.

The protesters gathered outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday carrying placards and chanting slogans including "Why have you snatched our bread?", "We are serving you" and "Arrest those involved in the Edhi Centre Sohrab Goth robbery."

Edhi Foundation chairman Faisal Edhi, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairman Asad Iqbal Butt, National Trade Union Federation secretary general Nasir Mansoor, Pakistan Peoples Party Labour Bureau leader Habibuddin Junaidi and others attended the demonstration and expressed solidarity with the affected employees.

Faisal Edhi said the foundation was engaged in serving humanity and had no enmity with anyone. He described the robbery at the Sohrab Goth centre as deeply distressing, saying four armed men had robbed Rs65 million kept at the centre to pay employees' salaries before fleeing the scene. "These are employees from poor families. Their households have been left without money," he said, adding that the suspects had yet to be arrested. Faisal Edhi called on the Sindh chief minister to ensure the immediate arrest of those involved, recovery of the stolen money and justice for the affected employees.

He said the foundation would assist its workers.

Asad Iqbal Butt said the incident raised serious questions for the Sindh government and described the robbery at a charitable organisation as deeply regrettable. He demanded that the government provide immediate financial assistance to the Edhi Foundation and compensate it for the stolen amount.

Family members of the affected employees appealed to the Sindh government to ensure payment of their salaries and demanded security for Edhi Foundation centres. They called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, saying the attack on Edhi was unacceptable.

They also demanded an explanation from the Sindh inspector general of police over the failure to arrest the suspects.