Suicide attempt: Girl overdoses on anti-malarial drugs

Investigations revealed that a girl attempted suicide by overdosing on anti-malaria pills.

ISLAMABAD: An unconscious 23-year-old girl was brought to the Benazir Bhutto Hospital on Friday night by two men, who fled the scene after admitting her. The initial suspicion that the girl was raped has been ruled out. However, investigations revealed that the girl attempted suicide by overdosing on anti-malaria pills.

The Kohsar police on Friday managed to arrest one of the men, Abid*, who had brought the girl to the hospital. He informed the police that he, along with this friend Wasim*, had in fact rushed Wasim’s wife, Hina*, to the hospital after she attempted suicide at her workplace, a non-government organisation in sector F-6/2. He said that the couple had had an argument over some marital issues. The two men had informed the hospital staff that the girl had eaten something poisonous. The girl had overdosed on anti-malaria pills but she was brought to the hospital on time and her stomach was washed, a medical officer at the hospital said, “Her chances of survival are bright.” Hina regained consciousness on Saturday night. However she was not in a condition to record her statement.

Abid said that the couple had gotten married secretly a few days ago, without informing either of their families. “After we brought her to the hospital, Wasim had to flee fearing her family’s reaction after getting to know about their secret marriage,” Abid told the police.

In light of the new information the suspicion that the girl was raped has been ruled out. “However, we are waiting for her statement to ascertain the circumstances under which she had gone unconscious,” a police official said.

When contacted, the girl’s family, residents of Amarpura in Rawalpindi, confirmed they were unaware of her marriage with Wasim.

*Names have been changed to protect identify

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2011.