RAWALPINDI: The family of Shahid Iqbal, who committed suicide in Saudi Arabia about two weeks ago, is still waiting for the return of his body.

“No government or police official has contacted me and my family after the death of my brother in Saudi Arabia,” Zahid Iqbal, the younger brother of the deceased, told Dawn.

Shahid’s wife, four children and the elderly parents are waiting for the return of the body since he reportedly killed himself on July 31 due to financial difficulties he had been facing after reaching Saudi Arabia in search of a job three months ago.

“I talked to one of my cousins, Nadeem Khan, on Sunday who worked with my deceased brother in the Al-Abwa city of Saudi Arabia and inquired about the body,” said Zahid, a resident of Kahuta.

He said his cousin informed him that the police in Saudi Arabia were waiting for a letter to be signed to allow the body to be sent to Pakistan. “He doesn’t know how many days it will take to complete the process,” he said.

“Shahid used to earn Rs300 to Rs400 daily in Pakistan when he decided to go abroad for a better future of his family.”

Zahid said after reaching the Al-Abwa city, his brother was unhappy as he was not paid the salary promised to him by the travel agent at the time of his recruitment.

“Shahid was in distress when he spoke to me for the last time on July 30,” said Zahid.

He said his brother asked him to take care of his children and also inquired about the health of his ailing parents while talking to him in a choking voice.

“I could not imagine during the telephonic conversation that it would be the last contact with my brother. But I told him not to get worried about anyone back home. But when I knew that he had committed suicide, I was shocked.”

He said his brother had gone to Saudi Arabia after paying Rs250,000 to the travel agent who had promised a salary of 1,200 riyals per month. However, when he reached Saudi Arabia, he was paid only 700 riyals per month.

Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) booked five travel agents who had sent Shahid to Saudi Arabia.

Mazharul Haq Kakakhel, the director FIA, said the agency took notice of Shahid’s suicide in Saudi Arabia due to alleged exploitation by the agents.

He said the FIA contacted Shahid’s family in Kahuta and recorded their statements which led to the registration of a case against the travel agents on Wednesday, adding three of the agents had been arrested.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2016