Edhi Center Robbery: A Crime That Shocked Pakistan

Just few days before inaugurating SIUT transplant complex named after him and soon after the outrage on social media that why a person of such great humanitarian services was not being awarded the esteemed Nobel Prize, Abdul Sattar Edhi was mugged at gunpoint. Yes, Even the charity boss of Pakistan is not spared by robbers. The city of lights has been the host of what must be one of the largest single robberies in the city’s recent history.

On October 19, a daylight robbery at the head office of country’s leading charity organization “Edhi Foundation” made it to the headlines, not only because it happened with renowned and respected philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi but because of the worth of stolen gold and cash.

As per the details of the shocking news, eight to ten armed men detained the staffers of Edhi Foundation head office along with Abdul Sattar Edhi, broke into storage vaults and made off with 5kgs of gold (worth Rs30 million), and foreign and local currency worth Rs20 million that was either donated for social work or had been kept by people for safe-keeping.

Immediate reactions to this news were like that we are ashamed Edhi sahib and shocked that even a great humanitarian is not safe in our country. An outrage against the incident on social media was witnessed. Soon the balance shifts towards negativity and people started questioning that why the valuables were not in a bank or kept at home. Also, there were no guards and CCTV cameras installed at the head office which could have been helpful in the culprit identification and investigations.

Whatever the reason of the grand robbery were, Abdul Sattar Edhi was deeply shocked and heartbroken. After rendering valuable services to humanity one is not expecting to be treated like that in his own house. Very soon Malik Riaz, real estate developer and founder of Bahria town came to the rescue and handed over Rs 50 million cheque to Abdul Sattar Edhi as compensation to his loss and in appreciation of his services. A noble deed indeed but I hope it will not stop police and law enforcing agencies to catch the culprits.

Express tribune editorial puts it aptly:

It was not only Abdul Sattar Edhi who was robbed; it was the entire nation.

A glimpse of social media commentary on Edhi center robbery in Karachi

Edhi sb’s pride was dat he doesn’t keep security at his place. He used 2 be famous for keeping his doors open. Truly changing selfish world!

— Fatah (@fatah_pak) October 20, 2014

First the Zionists and western imperialists stole the Nobel peace prize from Edhi. Then they looted his center & stole all his money.

— Señor Dr Majorly PhD (@majorlyp) October 20, 2014

In a country where humanitarians like Edhi sahb can be robbed, what can we expect for general public? What a Shame!

— Misha (@mishakhann) October 19, 2014

Karachi finds new ways to make us sad. Its the city in which Hakim Said was killed & now, in which Edhi was robbed. http://t.co/5CSlerNVbx

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) October 21, 2014

Personally the only thing surprising about Edhi getting robbed is that it took this long for it to happen. As if anything is sacred anymore.

— Daaniyal (@le_Sabre) October 20, 2014

Satar Edhi looted on gun point by dacoits Just imagine had he been given Nobel Prize(he deserves),what kind of news it wd hv made world over

— Rauf Klasra (@KlasraRauf) October 19, 2014

#Edhi Sahab should be interrogated. Why would he keep huge cash and gold at center? Its not his money that he would act so carelessly AGAIN.

— Tooba Hatif (@AamAwam) October 19, 2014

Heard Edhi was mugged. Considering he lives in the heart of Karachi, I’m surprised it took this long.

— Buffetkhor (@MyDixonCider) October 19, 2014

EDHI CENTRE ROBBED Well this reminds of a dialogue from Dark Knight `This City Deserves a better class of Criminals`

— Affan Dawood (@affandawood) October 19, 2014

Dear angry ppl of #Pakistan, so they robbed Edhi funds. Here’s what u can do about it: Donate! http://t.co/BKbQgaMUDt pic.twitter.com/kXeZ8Ny80Z

— Anthony Permal (@anthonypermal) October 19, 2014

Using Edhi as a hostage to steal money. Don’t these people have any shame? They’ll need Edhi’s ambulances when they get shot by the cops.

— Naseer Khan (@Naseerzk) October 19, 2014

So now parha likha jahil awam of karachi think that Edhi’s robbery was expected after influx from rural sindh #ThankyouPPP #ThankyouMorons

— Darth Wadera (@DarthWadera) October 19, 2014

You should know that the nation has lost all its moral grounds when a man like #Edhi is robbed.

— مابدولت (@MariamMustafa) October 19, 2014

Image Credits: Anonymous