KARACHI: Two members of a family found dead at their home near Gulshan-e-Hadeed died from gunshot wounds to the head, while the causes of death of three others remain undetermined, Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said on Wednesday.
The two victims were Shahzaib, around 35, and his wife, Saba, aged between 28 and 30. Samples have been collected from both for gunshot-residue testing, chemical analysis and DNA profiling.
The deaths of Shahzaib’s sister, Shumaila, and his daughters, Aizal and Arya, have not yet been attributed to a cause. Shumaila was about 20 to 22 years old; the children were approximately five and three. Samples from the three were sent for chemical analysis, serology and DNA testing.
Dr Summaiya said the available findings do not establish whether the deaths were murder or suicide. Investigators are awaiting forensic reports, and no case had been registered at the time of her statement.
The five were found dead at their home in a private housing society in Karachi’s Bin Qasim area between Monday night and Tuesday. Police also recovered a handwritten note that reportedly referred to financial hardship and strained relations with relatives.
MQM-P leader and MNA Dr Farooq Sattar expressed sorrow over the deaths and urged a reassessment of the country’s economic policies. He said the tragedy should prompt reflection on poverty and the pressures facing families, adding that government members also had a responsibility to take practical action.
