'Collective suicide'

Debt, rising living costs, weak social support can push families to extremes

The recent tragic case of femicide in Karachi's Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood – wherein three women, including a mother, a daughter and a daughter-in-law, were found dead in their flat after what police said was consuming poisonous drink given by none other than their family head – highlights the disturbing state of growing social decay.

Police investigation has revealed that the family had been under financial stress for some time, as they owed more than Rs12.5 million to various lenders. And in their infinite wisdom, the only way out of the unending spiral of debt they were trapped in was to go for a "collective suicide". The head of the family and his son also had to commit suicide, but while the son, who had consumed juice laced with sleeping pills, only fell unconscious, the family head backed out.

This is the dilemma facing lower-middle-class families in the country in general: a constant struggle to keep pace with perceived peers and meet the rising cost of living, which often outpaces wage growth, leading to debt, reduced savings, and lifestyle creep. This struggle stems from a complex blend of economic pressures, resulting in significant financial and psychological strain on every household head in this social class.

The gloomy incident also points to a financial landscape that has moved from a system dominated solely by traditional banks to a much broader and sometimes riskier ecosystem of lenders. The proliferation of cellphone apps for 'easy loan' has made people – particularly the vulnerable segments of society – an easy prey to exploitation, primarily due to factors like immediate financial need, lack of financial literacy, and the often predatory nature of some such apps.

The government cannot shy away from its responsibility in this context. It has a significant and multifaceted role in addressing social issues that lead to suicides related to financial distress. In a broader context, the "collective suicide" can be regarded as a public health issue that requires a comprehensive and multi-sectoral response, not just police intervention. The government must free up necessary resources that can offer support to people in need.