Bodies of 73 newborns recovered in as many days in Karachi

The incidents of infanticide appear to have increased at an alarming rate in Karachi with the bodies of 73 newborn babies recovered from the garbage bins, nullahs, and drains during the past two and a half months, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

According to a spokesman for Edhi Foundation, the bodies of 62 newborn babies were brought to the mortuary of Edhi Foundation during two and a half months. “27 of those bodies had been brought in the month of January, 22 in the month of February, and 13 in the first 15 days of March,” added the spokesman.

“The bodies of 11 newborn babies were brought to the mortuary of Chhipa Welfare Association (CWA) from January 1 to March 15,” said a CWA spokesman.

Sources privy to the report reveal that 60 of the 73 abandoned newborn babies are girls.

Last year, the Edhi Foundation had buried the bodies of 218 newborn babies, and, the CWA had buried the bodies of more than 40 newborn babies.

Police could arrest only two women for dumping their newborns.

The CWA appealed to the parents to leave their newborn babies at the CWA centres and not to kill them.

“Do not commit a murder to cover up a sin,” said CWA founder and president Ramzan Chhipa.

Reporter: Faisal Shakeel