Pakistan:12 dead in stampede at Karachi during Zakat distribution

In Pakistan, at least 12 including women and children, were killed and several others were injured in a stampede during a free ration distribution drive in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi on Friday. The incident occurred while people were gathered at a dyeing factory in the city's industrial area to collect ration,which is part of charity drives that Karachiites hold every Ramadan to help the needy. Seven people have been arrested by Karachi Police. An investigation has been launched into the matter.

The recent tragedy comes days after four elderly people lost their lives in similar stampedes that erupted during free flour distribution drives set up by the government in Pakistan’s Punjab province last week. According to The Express Tribune report,the stampedes underscore people's desperation in the face of soaring costs, exacerbated by Pakistan's falling currency and a removal of subsidies agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to unlock the latest tranche of its financial support packages.The costs of basic goods have surged, with flour prices rising more than 45 per cent in the past year.The government launched the flour distribution programme to reach millions of families in need during the holy month of Ramazan that began last week.