On Monday, the distribution of funds under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Ground led to a stampede, resulting in injuries to numerous women.
Initial reports from Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed suggested a woman had lost her life during the incident but was later corrected to be critically injured.
The House Officer (SHO) of Jackson Police Station, Baber Hameed, reported that the injured women were promptly transferred to Civil Hospital and are now considered out of immediate danger. The hospital’s patient list indicated that 21 patients were admitted.
SHO Hameed estimated the crowd of women gathered to receive the funds to be around “2,000 to 3,000”. He surmised that the stampede was triggered when the main gate’s lock was broken, leading to a mass influx of women.
He expressed regret that only one BISP center, the KPT Ground, catered to the entire Keamari district. This center draws women from several areas, including Machar Colony, Musharraf Colony, Kharadar and Mithadar.
Hameed added that police officials from Baldia and the district administration arrived swiftly at the scene to restore order after the incident.
The BISP resumed its fund disbursement the day after a two-day pause due to severe heat across several country regions. A spokesperson for BISP, quoted by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, stated that the disbursement would continue until Wednesday and resume again on July 3, following Eidul Azha.”