Rs65m Edhi robbery triggers outrage as workers demand salaries, justice

The demonstration was held outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, where relatives of Edhi Foundation workers, labour representatives, civil society

KARACHI: A Rs65 million robbery at an Edhi Foundation centre in Karachi has sparked protests, with families of affected employees demanding the recovery of the stolen money and the immediate arrest of those responsible.

The demonstration was held outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, where relatives of Edhi Foundation workers, labour representatives, civil society activists and citizens gathered to voice their anger. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans calling for justice and the safe recovery of funds intended to pay workers’ salaries.

Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi joined the protest and expressed concern over the financial hardship faced by employees from low-income families. He said the money stolen from the foundation’s Sohrab Goth centre had been kept specifically for salary payments.

According to Faisal Edhi, four armed men entered the centre, took the Rs65 million and escaped. He said no arrests had been made so far and urged Sindh Chief Minister to take immediate action to ensure the suspects were arrested and the stolen funds recovered.

“These workers come from poor families, and their households have been left without financial support,” Faisal Edhi said, assuring employees that the foundation would stand by them during the difficult situation.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairman Asad Iqbal Butt also condemned the incident, saying the robbery at a humanitarian organisation raised serious concerns about security and law enforcement. He called on the Sindh government to provide immediate financial assistance to the Edhi Foundation and compensate it for the stolen amount.

National Trade Union Federation Secretary General Nasir Mansoor, Pakistan Peoples Party Labour Bureau leader Habibuddin Junaidi and other representatives also attended the demonstration in support of the affected workers.

Family members of the employees appealed to the provincial government to ensure that salaries were paid without further delay. They also demanded stronger security at Edhi Foundation centres across Karachi and called for the arrest and prosecution of the robbers.

The protesters further questioned the Sindh police leadership over the lack of arrests and demanded an explanation for the delay in bringing the suspects to justice.

The robbery has left many Edhi employees and their families facing immediate financial uncertainty, turning the incident into not only a major security concern but also a humanitarian issue for the workers who depend on their salaries to support their households.