August 20, 2007	Monday	Sha’aban 6, 1428

DERA GHAZI KHAN, Aug 19: Prolonged illness and domestic problems forced an assistant professor of the government degree college to commit suicide on Sunday. Even though he survived the bid, but according to doctors he was in critical condition.

Bashir Tariq, assistant professor of Punjabi language department of DG Khan Government College cut his throat with a knife at his Model Town residence. His family brought him to a private clinic in the area where he told doctors he himself had cut his throat as he did not want to live anymore. The clinic referred him to the DG Khan District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital, where he was referred to Nishtar Hospital in Multan.

His colleagues said Prof Bashir, of Layyah, had long been suffering due to domestic problems. Describing him an able linguist and devoted teacher, they said Mr Bashir was stable when he was brought to DHQ Hospital. They criticised the hospital management for referring him to Multan. DHQ doctors said Mr Bashir might survive but his vocal cords had been damaged and he might not be able to speak anymore. — Correspondent