According to police, five members of a family were found dead on Tuesday in a locked, one-room apartment in Karachi’s Bin Qasim Town. The incident took place in Gulshan-i-Falaknaz, Block J, while Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Haq Lanjar and the provincial police chief have directed that the incident be investigated from every angle.
What police and rescue officials found
According to Bin Qasim Station House Officer (SHO) Faisal Rafiq, the deceased included a middle-aged couple, their two daughters, who were under six years old, and the husband’s sister, who was in her early twenties. Police said the apartment was locked from the inside.
The SHO also said that the couple had sustained fatal injuries, and a pistol was recovered from the scene. According to the Edhi Rescue Service, the bodies have been moved to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).
Directives from the home minister and police chief
Taking notice of the incident, Home Minister Ziaul Haq Lanjar sought details from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Malir. In a statement, he directed that the incident be investigated from every angle and that “every possible step” be taken “to bring the facts and causes to light.”
According to Lanjar, “the elements involved in the incident should be identified and action should be ensured in accordance with the law.” He directed the authorities to keep him informed about the progress of the case.
Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho sought a detailed report from the Deputy Inspector General for East. According to a statement from his office, the IGP said there should be a transparent and impartial investigation covering all aspects of the incident, and that the actual causes of the deaths should be determined.
Evidence, forensic analysis and possible criminal aspects
IGP Odho directed officers to collect evidence immediately and fulfil legal requirements, including forensic analysis. He also directed them to investigate possible criminal aspects and asked the officers to keep him informed of developments.
Last month, a middle-aged doctor, his wife and their three minor daughters were also found dead in their Ehsanabad apartment in Scheme 33, near the Super Highway. IGP Odho had formed an empowered committee to investigate that incident.
