28 suicides reported in Faisalabad in seven months

2 cops, three women among victims as domestic disputes, unemployment cited as major factors

FAISALABAD:

A 40-year-old police constable and father of three who died after allegedly ingesting pesticide tablets following a domestic dispute, was laid to rest in Chak 60-JB, Shahbazpur.

The deceased, Rana Muhammad Faisal, was posted at Sidhu Pura police post under Ghulam Muhammadabad police station.

Police said he allegedly consumed wheat-storage pesticide tablets at his home following a domestic discord.

After his condition deteriorated, Faisal was shifted to Allied Hospital Faisalabad, where he died while undergoing treatment.

Police registered a report under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which deals with deaths requiring an inquiry.

According to sources, Faisal's death comes amid a reported rise in suicide cases in Faisalabad district. Data obtained by The Express Tribune shows that 28 people, including two police employees and three women, have died by suicide in different areas of the district during the first seven months of 2026.

The deaths were reportedly linked to various factors, including unemployment, domestic disputes and family discord.

Victims allegedly used different methods, including pesticide tablets, hanging and firearms.

In another recent case, Lady Constable Musarrat Iqbal, a resident of Chak 373-GB in the Tarkhani police station area, allegedly died after consuming pesticide tablets on August 1. Sources said she had reportedly been facing blackmail over an inappropriate video.

Following her death, Tarkhani police registered a case against four suspects, Liaqat Ali, Muhammad Imran, Nazia Bibi and Muhammad Naveed, on allegations of blackmail and arrested them.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the continued availability of pesticide tablets despite restrictions imposed by the district administration.

Faisalabad Commissioner Sheikh Imran Hamid had imposed a ban on the sale of wheat-storage pesticide tablets in the district. However, sources said the tablets remained readily available at some retail outlets, raising questions about enforcement of the ban.

The easy availability of such poisonous substances has prompted calls for stricter monitoring of their sale and distribution.