The car of Pakistani-origin Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Salma Zahid was set on fire outside her home in Toronto, with police investigating the incident as suspected arson. Toronto Police Service spokesperson Stephanie Miceli said officers responded at 1:21 a.m. Thursday to reports of multiple vehicles on fire in a residential neighborhood near Bellamy Road North and Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough.

The car of Pakistani-origin Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Salma Zahid was set on fire outside her home in Toronto, with police investigating the incident as suspected arson.

Toronto Police Service spokesperson Stephanie Miceli said officers responded at 1:21 a.m. Thursday to reports of multiple vehicles on fire in a residential neighborhood near Bellamy Road North and Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough.

Zahid, a Liberal MP representing Scarborough Centre–Don Valley East in Ontario, said an individual set her car and another vehicle on fire outside her residence.

“My son noticed the fire and we called 911,” Zahid said in a statement shared on social media, adding that neighbors also contacted emergency services.

Toronto Fire Services extinguished the blaze. Zahid said both vehicles were destroyed, while police said the fire caused damage to three vehicles. Her home was not damaged, and no injuries were reported.

“My family and I are all safe,” Zahid said.

Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area. No suspects have been identified so far, while the motive behind the incident remains unclear. Initial reports have also raised the possibility of a hate crime.

Zahid said she did not want to speculate about a possible motive but condemned the incident and said it would “not deter me from my work” serving her constituency.

The incident comes amid concerns within the Muslim community over Islamophobic incidents in Canada. Community members have called for those responsible to be arrested, saying such attacks damage Canada’s reputation.

Zahid has served as a member of Parliament since 2015 and chairs Parliament’s Standing Committee on Science and Research.

According to her website, she has worked to increase the visibility of racial minorities and women and has spoken out against the oppression of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. She has also chaired the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group.

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