Saudi returnee Zain-ul-Abideen murdered in Karachi, cousin among two arrested

The body of Zain-ul-Abideen, a young man who had returned from Saudi Arabia to visit his parents, was recovered from a deserted dumping site

KARACHI:  The body of Zain-ul-Abideen, a young man who had returned from Saudi Arabia to visit his parents, was recovered from a deserted dumping site in Karachi’s Steel Town area on Friday, October 16, police said. His cousin Faisal and another suspect have been arrested in connection with the murder, while investigators suspect that the killing was disguised as a kidnapping for ransom.

According to police, Zain-ul-Abideen worked as a tailor in Saudi Arabia and had recently returned to Karachi to spend time with his family. His father told investigators that his son left home on a motorcycle on October 14 but failed to return. After searching for him without success, the family registered a kidnapping case at Steel Town Police Station.

The victim’s father alleged that the family subsequently received a telephone call from individuals claiming to have kidnapped his son and demanding Rs700,000 as ransom. He said the family took the demanded money to the location specified by the callers, but nobody appeared to collect it. The suspects allegedly left the victim’s slippers and mobile phone outside the family home and threatened to kill him.

During the initial investigation, police recovered a severed hand from a location identified during the inquiry. The remains were sent for DNA testing to establish the victim’s identity, while investigators examined technical evidence and other circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction.

The case took a significant turn when police arrested Faisal, the victim’s cousin, and another suspect. According to investigators, the suspects led police to the location where Zain-ul-Abideen’s body had been dumped. The body was found stuffed inside a sack at a deserted garbage-dumping site in the Bin Qasim and Chhatri Ground area. A piece of yellow cloth was reportedly tied around the sack.

SSP Malir confirmed the arrests and the recovery of the body on the accused persons’ identification. Police said Faisal allegedly confessed to the murder during interrogation, although the allegations remain subject to further investigation.

Preliminary findings suggest that the killing was motivated by a personal dispute involving a woman rather than a demand for ransom. According to investigation sources, Zain-ul-Abideen was with Faisal and a woman when an argument reportedly erupted after the victim objected to a video being recorded. Faisal allegedly attacked him during the confrontation, resulting in his death.

Investigators further suspect that the accused cut off one of the victim’s hands and left it near his home to strengthen the impression that he had been kidnapped. The ransom calls and threats were allegedly part of an attempt to mislead the family and divert attention from the actual motive behind the crime.

Police said the case was being investigated from multiple angles, with further raids underway to arrest another suspected accomplice. Investigators are also working to establish the sequence of events and identify any additional individuals involved.

The body has been shifted to a hospital for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. DNA analysis of the recovered hand and other forensic findings are awaited. Police have collected evidence from the relevant locations and are continuing efforts to trace the suspected weapon, vehicle and other possible evidence.

Further legal action will be taken in light of the forensic findings and the progress of the investigation.