KARACHI: A rehabilitation center in Karachi’s Orangi Town was violently attacked by a mob that allegedly freed 127 individuals undergoing treatment for drug addiction, in what authorities say was an act driven by public frustration rather than criminal intent.
The attackers vandalized the Sunshine Rehab Center, assaulted staff members, and severely damaged a police mobile unit during the raid. The facility is run by Sindh Police officer Abdul Khaliq Ansari.
At the time of the assault, 10 to 12 staff members were on duty, responsible for overseeing the treatment and care of the patients.
Following the incident, the center’s administration submitted a formal statement to the police, and efforts are currently underway to trace the escapees and register a First Information Report (FIR).
In a surprising twist, the preliminary investigation by Mominabad Police suggests the mob may not have been composed of drug dealers, but rather local residents. According to the station house officer (SHO), the community had grown increasingly resentful of the rehab center’s patients, accusing them of theft and other nuisance behaviors in the area.
Authorities are still verifying the identities of those involved in the attack and say they will determine whether any legal action will also be taken against the facility itself for possible procedural violations.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the state of addiction treatment infrastructure and public trust in such centers, particularly in densely populated urban areas where tensions between residents and patients often go unaddressed.
