Robbers loot Rs6.5m from Edhi Home in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth

KARACHI: Armed robbers looted Rs6.5 million from an Edhi Home in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth area on Friday after allegedly following staff members carrying cash withdrawn from a bank, police and the welfare organisation said.

According to the Edhi administration, the cash had been withdrawn earlier in the day to distribute salaries among employees, as Friday was payday.

Officials said that four armed suspects followed the staff to the Edhi Centre before carrying out the robbery.

The armed robbers fled with the entire amount after holding employees at gunpoint.

Employees told police that all four robbers were wearing helmets, making it difficult to identify them.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Central Dr Imran and a heavy police contingent reached the scene soon after the incident and launched an investigation.

Police said that they are collecting evidence, including CCTV footage from the surrounding area, to trace the suspects and determine the route they used to escape.

The Edhi Foundation suspected that a current or former employee may have been involved in the armed robbery.

Speaking to HUM English, Edhi Foundation member Saad Edhi said the robbers appeared to have precise knowledge of the centre’s operations and targeted the specific office where cash is normally kept.

“We suspect that either a current or former employee was involved in the incident,” Saad Edhi said.

He explained that the cash had just arrived at the centre and was about to be distributed among employees when the robbers struck.

“The robbers came directly to the office where the money is kept. As soon as the cash reaches our office, the salary distribution process begins within a short time,” he said.

Saad Edhi said the timing of the robbery suggested that the suspects were fully aware of the movement of cash and the internal procedures at the welfare organisation.

“It appears the robbers knew the entire situation. They arrived almost immediately after the money reached the office,” he added.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident to determine whether any insider facilitated the robbery.

The Sohrab Goth Edhi Home is one of the foundation’s largest facilities in Karachi and houses a major morgue serving the city.

The welfare organisation has also been targeted in the past. A major robbery was previously reported at the Edhi Home in Karachi’s Kharadar area.