“Left Helpless” – 5 Bodies Found in Locked Flat in Karachi; Suicide Note Exposes Collapse of Rs 700 Billion Welfare System

KARACHI : In a harrowing incident that has shaken Karachi, five members of a single family were found dead inside a locked rental flat in Falak Naz Society, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Bin Qasim Town, Malir.

The deceased have been identified as Shahzaib (30), his wife Saba (28), his sister Shumaila (20), and his two minor daughters Eezal and Arya.

The case is being investigated as a suspected collective suicide, but serious questions have emerged about the circumstances of death and the failure of state welfare institutions.

THE CRIME SCENE – WHAT POLICE FOUND

According to police and rescue sources, the flat had been locked from inside for three days. After neighbours reported a foul smell, the landlord informed the Bin Qasim police. Police broke open the door.

Inside, investigators found:

– On the bed: Three bodies – Shumaila and the two minor girls. Initial observation suggests poisoning, with no visible torture marks. Foam was observed from the mouth.
– On sofas: Bodies of Shahzaib and Saba with gunshot wounds to the temple. A 30-bore pistol was recovered from Saba’s lap with two empty shells on the floor.
– A two-page handwritten suicide note on a table, reportedly written by Shahzaib.

Minute Mirror has obtained the contents of the note. It reads:

> “Ghar Be-Yaar-o-Madadgar Chor Diya Hai. Sab Ne Faisla Kiya Hai Duniya Me Nahi Reh Sakte. Me Be-Rozgar Hun. Rishtedaron Ke Paas Jate Hain To Zaleel Kar Ke Nikal Dete Hain, Numbers Se Block Kar Diya Hai, Sab Ne Boycott Kar Diya Hai.”

Investigators revealed that Shahzaib had sold his own house in Gulshan-e-Hadeed a few months ago and shifted to a rented portion. He had been unemployed and had not paid rent for two months.

This is the second such incident in Karachi in one month. On September 15, five bodies including a doctor, his wife and three daughters were found in a locked flat in Ahsanabad. Its chemical report is still awaited.

OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION

SSP Malir stated that prima facie it appears to be a collective suicide case, but all angles including homicide are being investigated. Evidence including the pistol, shells, suspected poisonous substance, fingerprints and mobile phones has been collected by the Crime Scene Unit.

IGP Sindh has taken notice and sought a detailed report from DIG East.

Bodies were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medico-legal formalities. Samples have been sent to the chemical examiner and forensic laboratory. The final cause of death will be confirmed after post-mortem and chemical reports, expected in 7 to 10 days.

THE BIGGER STORY: WHERE ARE THE WELFARE FUNDS?

Minute Mirror investigation reveals a shocking disconnect between massive welfare funds and the ground reality.

1. BILLIONS DEDUCTED FROM BANK ACCOUNTS AS ZAKAT – WHERE DOES IT GO?

Every year on 1st Ramadan, banks in Pakistan deduct 2.5% Zakat from all savings accounts holding amount above Nisab (around Rs 135,000 in 2026).

According to State Bank and Ministry of Religious Affairs data:

– 2024: Rs 11.2 billion deducted
– 2025: Rs 12.8 billion deducted
– 2026 estimate: Over Rs 14 billion

This money goes to the Central Zakat Fund, then to provincial Zakat councils, then to district committees.

Auditor General of Pakistan Report 2023-24 reveals:

– Rs 29 billion is lying unutilized in the Central Zakat Fund.
– Sindh received Rs 2.1 billion in 2024, but Rs 1.2 billion lapsed and returned.
– Malir district received Rs 180 million, of which Rs 110 million was shown as administrative expenses.
– Current accounts are exempted, saving accounts are deducted – meaning the poor pay, while the rich submit CZ-50 exemption forms and avoid it.

Shahzaib, being unemployed, in debt and homeless, was a Shariah-eligible recipient of Zakat under the categories of Gharim (debtor) and Miskin (needy). Even Rs 50,000 from this fund could have saved the family.

2. BISP, BAIT-UL-MAL, ZAKAT DEPARTMENTS

– BISP: Budget Rs 598 billion for 2025-26, providing Rs 13,500 quarterly to 10 million women. But it only covers women already in the old survey list with PMT score below 32. New poor like Shahzaib, who recently became homeless, are not in the system. Survey is conducted every 3 years.

– Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal: Budget Rs 10 billion. Its Individual Financial Assistance scheme requires over 20 documents, 6 months waiting, and often political reference. Its audit shows 40% budget goes to salaries and vehicles.

– Sindh Zakat: Budget Rs 12-15 billion annually. Local Zakat Committees are politically appointed and largely inactive. In Bin Qasim, locals said the chairman has not been seen for 6 months.

3. 40+ FEDERAL AND SINDH GOVERNMENT SCHEMES – ONLY ON PAPER

Federal Schemes (15+): PM Youth Business Loan (Rs 500k to 7.5m), Kamyab Pakistan Interest-Free Loan (up to Rs 1.4m), Ehsaas Amdan (goat, rickshaw, shop), Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar, 8 sub-schemes of BISP including Taleemi Wazaif and Nashonuma.

Sindh Government Schemes (25+): People’s Poverty Reduction Program (EU funded, does NOT include Karachi), Benazir Mazdoor Card (300,000 cards made, money given to only 12,000), Benazir Bhutto Youth Development Program (500 seats in Karachi, 50,000 applicants), Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (asks for property collateral from unemployed youth), Benazir Housing Scheme (announced 200,000 houses, only 1,800 built in Larkana), Guzara Allowance Rs 1,500, Marriage Assistance Rs 50,000 requiring 10 witnesses.

Reality: Most schemes require online application, scanners, computers and months of waiting. The People Poverty Reduction Program does not cover Karachi at all, on the assumption that Karachi is rich.

4. NGOS AND CHARITIES – PRESENT AFTER DEATH, ABSENT BEFORE

Karachi has over 500 registered NGOs and major charity organizations with annual budgets of Rs 8 to 12 billion each. Their model is distribution of cooked food and ration after death, not prevention.

– They require photos and videos for aid, while white-collar families like Shahzaib’s prefer death over public humiliation.
– They have no data on which house sold its property, which family is not paying rent.
– They have no family crisis prevention workers at street level.

WHY ARE SUCH CASES INCREASING?

Minute Mirror found 6 similar family death cases in Karachi in last 12 months.

– Economic collapse: Inflation, rent tripled, jobs lost.
– Collapse of joint family support system – as stated in note “numbers blocked, boycotted”.
– No mental health infrastructure – Pakistan has less than 1 psychiatrist per 100,000 people.
– Humiliating aid system – no dignified way to ask for help.

WAY FORWARD – 5-POINT SOLUTION

Minute Mirror proposes:

1. Helpline Integration: Make 1121 a national 24/7 helpline. Link BISP, Bait-ul-Mal, Zakat and all major NGOs with it. One call, aid within 48 hours.

2. Zakat Reform: Zakat deducted from a district should be distributed in same district. Abolish Central Fund pooling. Create auto-distribution via NADRA, rent and electricity bill data – if someone fails to pay bills for 3 months or sells house, auto cash assistance without forms.

3. White-Collar Fund: 20% of all charity budgets reserved for silent aid – rent, electricity, school fee – without photo, without name.

4. Mohalla Watch System: One Family Support Worker per 1000 houses to knock on doors of silent, locked houses.

5. Transparent Investigation: Post-mortem, chemical, ballistic and bank record reports of all such collective death cases must be made public within 30 days.

BOTTOM LINE

Shahzaib did not commit suicide. The system killed him.

He had a state with Rs 700 billion welfare budget, Rs 14 billion Zakat deduction, 40 schemes and 500 NGOs – but not a single phone call answered, because relatives blocked numbers and the state blocked hearts.

If Rs 50,000 from Rs 14 billion Zakat had reached him, 5 funerals would not have happened today.

If you know someone who is silent, not paying rent, selling his house, or saying “no one helps” – knock on his door today. You may save a family.