Young couple ends life over financial woes

Cash-strapped couple lived in a rented house, landlord had given eviction notice

KARACHI:

A young couple ended their lives by self-immolation over financial problems in the Madina Colony area of Korangi on Thursday in an incident that shows how the runaway inflation has made the life of the common man miserable in the country.

Jameel Ahmed, 32, and his 22-year-old wife, Muskan, reportedly doused themselves in gasoline before triggering fire at their house near Coast Guards Chowrangi. The couple suffered critical burn injuries and were rushed to the Civil Hospital where doctors said they had 80 per cent total body surface area (TBSA) burns.

According to medical professionals, there is less than 10% survival chance with more than 80% TBSA. This is the reason Jameel died during the course of treatment at the Burns Ward of the Civil Hospital later in the day, while his wife, who tried to hang onto dear life by the skin of her teeth, also succumbed to her injuries.

According to Rao Rafiq, SHO Zaman Town police station in whose jurisdiction Madina Colony falls, said that the area people rushed to the house of the couple after they set themselves on fire. They put out the flames and transported the injured couple to the Civil Hospital.

SHO Rafiq disclosed that the couple has a one-and-a-half year old son, while Jameel had been struggling with drug addiction for some time. The couple was cash strapped and had been unable to pay house rent for several months, forcing the landlord to issue an eviction ultimatum.

“Frustrated by the imminent eviction, the distressed couple attempted to end their lives,” he added. After completing medico-legal formalities, police handed over the bodies to the heirs for burial.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2023.