The bodies of five people, including a man, two women, and two girls, were discovered at a house in a private housing society in Karachi's Gulshan-e-Hadeed area, rescue officials said on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as 40-year-old Shahzaib, his 40-year-old wife Saba, their daughters 4-year-old Arya and 5-year-old Aizal, and Shahzaib's 18-year-old sister Shumaila.
Police suspect the incident to be a case of suicide, stating that Shahzaib had allegedly left a note citing severe financial distress. Officials noted that he had been unemployed and was sustaining his household by selling property inherited from his late father.
Sindh Inspector General (IG) of Police Javed Alam Odho has taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG). The police chief directed officials to conduct a transparent investigation, collect forensic evidence, and determine the exact cause of death.
He further instructed that the inquiry examine all potential criminal aspects. This tragedy follows a similar incident weeks ago in the Ahsanabad area of Karachi's SITE neighbourhood, where five bodies - a man, his wife, and their three children - were found in a flat.
In that case, police also suspected suicide, noting that the head of the household, identified as Dr. Umar, had been facing a financial crisis due to illness. The recurring nature of these incidents has raised concerns among local residents regarding the socio-economic pressures currently affecting families in the metropolis.
Authorities have cordoned off the residence in Gulshan-e-Hadeed to preserve the crime scene for further investigation. Forensic teams are currently processing the area to ensure that no evidence is overlooked during the inquiry.
The bodies have been shifted to a local hospital for post-mortem examinations to confirm the cause of death. Police officials stated that the final report will be released once the medical and forensic findings are compiled.
The local community remains in a state of shock following the discovery. Neighbors described the family as quiet and reserved, noting that they had not shown any outward signs of the extreme distress that allegedly led to this tragic outcome.
The police department has urged the public to remain patient while the investigation proceeds. They have also encouraged citizens facing severe financial or mental health crises to reach out to support services rather than taking extreme measures.
Further updates are expected as the investigation into the Gulshan-e-Hadeed tragedy continues under the supervision of senior police officials.