Woman suffers severe burns in alleged acid attack in Karachi’s Gizri

A woman suffered severe burn injuries to her face, hands and upper body after she was allegedly attacked with acid by a motorcyclist in Karachi’s Upper Gizri area on Thursday, police said.

A woman suffered severe burn injuries to her face, hands and upper body after she was allegedly attacked with acid by a motorcyclist in Karachi’s Upper Gizri area on Thursday, police said.

The victim, who works as a domestic helper, was travelling from one house where she worked to another when the incident occurred. According to her initial statement to police, the suspect approached her on a motorcycle.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South Mahzor Ali said eyewitnesses told investigators that the woman and the suspect spoke for some time before an argument broke out. The man allegedly then threw acid at her before fleeing the scene.

Police believe the suspect may have brought the acid with him and waited for the woman to arrive. People present at the scene alerted the authorities, following which an ambulance transported the injured woman to the Burns Ward of Civil Hospital, where she was provided medical treatment.

Police have recorded the victim’s initial statement and are investigating the incident to establish the identity and motive of the attacker. Officers reportedly showed her a photograph of a suspect but she did not identify him. She told investigators that although she did not know the attacker she would be able to identify him if she saw him in person.

Police are also collecting information about the victim from relatives living in Karachi. According to SSP Ali, the woman is originally from Bahawalpur and has been living alone in Karachi after her husband contracted a second marriage in Punjab.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric and intolerable act. He directed the Karachi Additional Inspector General to ensure the immediate arrest of the suspect and submit a report on the case. He also instructed authorities to provide the victim with the best possible medical treatment.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also condemned the incident and sought a detailed report from the SSP South. He directed the officer to personally supervise the investigation and provide updates on its progress, reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward such attacks.

The incident adds to a troubling pattern of acid violence reported across Pakistan this year. Several women and girls have suffered acid burns in separate incidents in Punjab, Balochistan and other parts of the country.

According to data cited from non-governmental organisations Pakistan records an estimated 150 to 200 acid attacks annually, although the actual number may be considerably higher because many cases go unreported or receive limited media coverage.

Despite legal reforms and tougher provincial laws, acid attacks remain a serious threat, particularly to women, highlighting concerns over prevention, investigation and enforcement.

The Supreme Court recently described acid attacks as “worse than murder” while upholding a life sentence for an acid attack convict. The court also directed high courts to ensure that trials in such cases are completed within four months and closely monitored to prevent unnecessary delays and further trauma for v