In a deeply distressing incident, a labourer in Rahim Yar Khan allegedly poisoned his three children before taking his own life, reportedly due to financial hardship ahead of Eid. The incident occurred in the Sardar Garh Basti Haji Pir locality of Rukanpur village, police said on Monday.
The man, who was employed as a tractor trolley driver, had been out of work and struggling emotionally and financially. Authorities stated that in a state of despair, he gave poisonous tablets to his two disabled sons and daughter before consuming them himself.
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Tragically, the father and both sons died. The daughter, however, survived and is recovering at Sheikh Zayed Hospital. Hospital officials confirmed she is now out of danger and receiving medical care.
This heartbreaking episode echoes a similar case reported earlier in February in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In that incident, a tailor allegedly killed his four children before dying by suicide. The man, identified as Saiful Islam, had been facing personal and financial difficulties. After a dispute, his wife had left the house with the children temporarily in his care. Repeated attempts to reconcile were unsuccessful.
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Authorities reported that the Swabi case ended with the suspect sending his youngest daughter back to her mother, only to have her returned. Overcome with hopelessness, he took the drastic step.
Officials in both cases confirmed that the deceased were moved to hospitals for autopsy. The tragedies have sparked concern over the growing mental health and economic challenges faced by low-income families.