Karachi acid attack suspect arrested in Punjab

Police have arrested a man suspected of attacking a 35-year-old woman with acid in Karachi’s Upper Gizri area, bringing a major development

KARACHI: Police have arrested a man suspected of attacking a 35-year-old woman with acid in Karachi’s Upper Gizri area, bringing a major development in the investigation into the disturbing incident.

South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza confirmed on Saturday that the suspect was apprehended in Rajanpur, Punjab, after fleeing Karachi following the attack. According to the police official, Sindh Police worked in coordination with local authorities to trace and arrest the suspect in his native area.

The incident took place on Thursday when the woman was allegedly targeted while she was returning home after completing her work at a bungalow in Clifton. The suspect reportedly approached her and threw acid at her, causing serious burn injuries to several parts of her body.

Following the attack, the injured woman was immediately shifted to the Burns Centre at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi for medical treatment. She was transported to the hospital in an Edhi ambulance, where doctors began treating her burns.

Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed had earlier confirmed that the victim sustained burns to around 15 per cent of her body. Her face, neck and abdomen were among the affected areas, highlighting the severity of the attack and the potentially long-term consequences for the victim.

DIG Asad Raza said the suspect escaped from Karachi after the incident and travelled to Rajanpur in Punjab. Sindh Police subsequently traced his location and arrested him with the assistance of police authorities in the area.

The DIG further said he had written to the Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police, requesting that the Sindh Home Department be approached for the necessary permission to dispatch a police team to Rajanpur. The team would bring the arrested suspect back to Karachi so that further investigation and legal proceedings could be carried out.

The incident had also drawn the attention of Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, who took notice of the attack and directed police authorities to use all available resources to ensure the suspect’s immediate arrest.

The provincial home minister also ordered that legal action be taken against the accused and that the investigation be pursued to ensure the case reaches its proper legal conclusion.

Acid attacks have long been regarded as particularly brutal crimes because their consequences can extend far beyond the initial physical injuries. Survivors can face permanent disfigurement, prolonged medical treatment and severe psychological and social challenges.

The seriousness of such attacks was also underscored by the Supreme Court in June, when it described acid attacks as more heinous than homicide. The court observed that such crimes can condemn victims to what it termed a “living death.”

The arrest of the suspect is therefore being viewed as an important step toward accountability in the Karachi case. Police are expected to continue their investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack, determine the motive and present the suspect before the relevant legal authorities.