Domestic worker attacked with acid

A domestic worker sustained burn injuries to her face, hands and upper body after an unidentified man allegedly threw acid at her in the Gizri area of Clifton on Thursday, police said.

Police identified the victim as Mumtaz, a domestic helper originally from Bahawalpur district of southern Punjab. The suspect arrived on a motorcycle carrying acid and allegedly waited for the woman before attacking her.

The incident took place while Mumtaz was walking from one house where she worked to another. Passersby alerted the authorities and an ambulance shifted the injured woman to the Burns Ward of Civil Hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the woman and the suspect spoke for some time before an argument broke out, SSP South Mehroz Ali told The Express Tribune. The man then allegedly threw acid at her and fled the scene.

Police recorded the woman's initial statement. Mumtaz told investigators she did not know the attacker but would be able to identify him if he appeared before her.

The SSP said Mumtaz is originally from Bahawalpur, where her husband had contracted a second marriage. She had subsequently been living alone in Karachi.

Police said further investigation was underway to identify and arrest the suspect.