Rs6.5m Edhi robbery fuels protests, calls for urgent action
The robbery took place at the Edhi Foundation’s Sohrab Goth centre, where the money was reportedly kept to pay salaries to employees. The incident has caused concern among workers and their families, who fear delays in receiving their wages.
Protesters gathered outside the Karachi Press Club and called for immediate action against those responsible. They carried placards and raised slogans demanding justice and the recovery of the stolen money.
Among the slogans were “Why have you snatched our bread?”, “We are serving you” and “Arrest those involved in the Edhi Centre Sohrab Goth robbery.”
The demonstration brought together families of affected employees, labour representatives, civil society activists and citizens. Several prominent figures also attended the protest and expressed support for the workers.
Rs65m robbery puts workers under pressure
Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi said the charity had been working for humanity and had no dispute with anyone. He described the robbery as a deeply disturbing incident because the stolen money was intended for employees’ salaries.
According to Faisal Edhi, four armed men entered the Sohrab Goth centre, took Rs65m and escaped. The suspects had not been arrested at the time of the protest.
“These are employees from poor families. Their households have been left without money,” Faisal Edhi said while highlighting the impact of the robbery on workers.
He appealed to the Sindh chief minister to take immediate steps for the arrest of the suspects. He also called for the recovery of the stolen money and legal action against those responsible.
Faisal Edhi said the foundation would support its employees during the difficult situation. However, the incident has created uncertainty for families who depend on regular salaries to meet their daily needs.
Workers’ families demand government action
Families of the affected employees urged the Sindh government to ensure that workers receive their salaries despite the robbery. They also demanded stronger security arrangements at Edhi Foundation centres across the province.
The families said the incident should not be treated as an ordinary robbery because the money was meant to support low-income workers and their households.
They demanded the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. They also questioned how armed robbers were able to escape with such a large amount of money from a charity centre.
The protesters further sought an explanation from the Sindh inspector general of police over the lack of arrests. They called for a transparent investigation to determine how the robbery happened and whether anyone failed to perform their security duties.
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Civil society calls for compensation
Asad Iqbal Butt, chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, also attended the demonstration. He described the robbery at a charitable organisation as a serious and regrettable incident.
Butt called on the Sindh government to provide immediate financial assistance to the Edhi Foundation. He also demanded compensation for the amount stolen from the organisation.
Labour leaders also joined the protest, showing concern over the effect of the robbery on employees who were waiting for their salaries.
National Trade Union Federation Secretary General Nasir Mansoor and Pakistan Peoples Party Labour Bureau leader Habibuddin Junaidi were among those who expressed solidarity with the affected workers.
Their participation highlighted the wider labour concerns linked to the incident. The protesters argued that workers should not be forced to bear the financial consequences of a crime they did not commit.
