Robbers raid top Pakistan charity, steal $400,000

The charity's founder was held at gunpoint as robbers took off with 5kg of gold and cash.

KARACHI // Armed robbers have raided one of Pakistan’s leading charities and stolen US$400,000 (Dh1.47 million) in cash as well as five kilograms of gold.

At least eight robbers struck at the Edhi Centre in the southern city of Karachi, taking several staff hostage and threatening the organisation’s founder Abdul Sattar Edhi at gunpoint.

Mr Edhi, in his 80s, is one of Pakistan’s best-loved figures for his unstinting work providing ambulance services across the country and running shelters for thousands of women and children, and the destitute.

Police said the robbers broke into the centre, where Mr Edhi also lives, on Sunday and took the mostly female staff hostage.

Mr Edhi was sleeping in his room and was woken at gunpoint by the robbers, who demanded the keys to the vaults.

The philanthropist told the robbers the keys were held by his wife. The robbers then smashed the locks open.

“Our investigation is going on but it seems that some insider was involved in the robbery,” said Zahid Hussain, a police officer.

The robbers made off with 5kg of gold ornaments and about $400,000 in cash, he said. The value of the gold has not yet been established.

“The gold belonged to people who trust Edhi and gave it for safe keeping, while the dollars were kept to be paid by the charity on some account,” Anwer Kazmi, Mr Edhi’s right-hand man said. “It is a shameful act.”

Always dressed in simple clothes, Mr Edhi raises funds through donations from the affluent and through charitable drives during religious festivals.

Last year, both of his kidneys failed and he undergoes dialysis twice a week.

* Agence France-Presse