Sindh govt to cover treatment costs for victims of DHA Imambargah tragedy

KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced that it will bear the medical expenses of people seriously injured after a vehicle crashed into a Muharram congregation outside an imambargah in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA), a tragedy that claimed the life of a teenage girl and left more than a dozen mourners injured.

The decision came as the Sindh Health Department moved swiftly to ensure uninterrupted treatment for victims receiving care at Aga Khan University Hospital and South City Hospital, with authorities directing both institutions to provide the best possible medical facilities without delay.

According to official directives issued on the instructions of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the government will cover all treatment costs for severely injured patients, while the hospitals have been asked to submit bills and vouchers to the provincial government after completing treatment.

The move follows Sunday's tragic incident, when a fast-moving Suzuki pickup crashed through security barriers outside Masjid-o-Imambargah Baqiatullah in DHA Phase VI and ploughed into a Muharram majlis attended by men, women, and children.

Sindh Health Department activates emergency support

Separate letters sent by the Sindh Health Department to Aga Khan University Hospital and South City Hospital confirmed that the expenses of seriously injured patients would be borne by the provincial government.

Patients receiving treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital include Shabana Bibi, Mehnaz Bibi, Zunaira Fatima, Kousar Parveen, Bibi Irshad, Bibi Mumtaz, Iman Fatima, and Fatima Maheen, while Shabana Batool and Amna Batool are undergoing treatment at South City Hospital.

Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said the government would ensure complete medical care for all those affected.

“All injured women, children and other affectees of the Imambargah incident will be provided complete medical facilities,” Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said.

She added that the Sindh Health Department had issued instructions to hospitals to provide the best treatment without delay.

“Every possible medical facility will be provided to protect human lives,” the provincial health minister said.

Incident under investigation

The tragedy occurred on Sunday evening at approximately 9:30pm when a Suzuki pickup entered the congregation area after breaking through security barriers erected outside the imambargah.

Initial police assessments suggested that brake failure may have caused the accident. However, the case was subsequently transferred to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for further investigation.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza had earlier confirmed that the matter had been handed over to the CTD.

Police later registered a terrorism case against the driver of the vehicle, while three companions accompanying him were also named in the First Information Report (FIR).

The complaint, filed by the head of security of the imambargah, alleged that the vehicle deliberately breached security barriers and rammed into the gathering under a "planned scheme and criminal conspiracy."

According to the FIR, the driver acted with malicious intent and drove recklessly toward seated mourners, including women and children.

The complaint further claimed that the incident was not accidental but constituted a deliberate act and referred to videos circulating on social media that allegedly suggested the gathering had been intentionally targeted.

Authorities have yet to announce the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

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