Five of a family found dead inside house in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Hadeed

KARACHI: Five members of a family, including two young children, were found dead inside a house in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Hadeed area on Monday, prompting police to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

According to rescue officials, the deceased were identified as 40-year-old Shahzaib, his 40-year-old wife, Saba, their five-year-old daughter, Aizal, their four-year-old daughter, Arya, and Shahzaib’s 18-year-old sister, Shamaila.

The bodies were shifted to a hospital, while police collected evidence from the scene and began investigating the incident.

Police collect evidence from house

Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Abdul Khaliq Pizada said the bodies were found in a ground-floor room whose door was locked from the inside. He added that Shahzaib and his wife had sustained gunshot wounds.

The SSP said police had recorded an initial statement from the house owner and collected evidence from the property.

A pistol was also recovered from the house, while a letter was found in Shahzaib’s pocket, according to the police officer.

Pizada said investigators initially suspected that the children had been poisoned and that financial difficulties may have prompted a suicide. However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.

Sindh police chief seeks report

Inspector General of Sindh Police Javed Alam Odho sought a report from the deputy inspector general concerned and directed officials to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.

He instructed police to collect evidence from the scene, conduct forensic examinations and fulfil all legal requirements as part of the investigation.

The provincial police chief also called for immediate measures to establish the facts and determine whether any criminal element was involved. He directed officials to keep him informed about progress in the case.

Sindh home minister takes notice

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the Malir SSP.

He directed police to investigate all aspects of the case and take every possible measure to establish the circumstances and facts surrounding the deaths.

Lanjar instructed police to use all available resources in the investigation, identify anyone found to be involved and ensure action in accordance with the law.

He also directed the Malir SSP to keep him informed about the investigation and its progress.