SHEIKHUPURA: A couple and their three minor daughters went missing after they jumped into the Qadirabad barrage link canal near Tibi Rajadha village in Nankana Sahib district on Monday.

According to Rescue 1122 Nankana in-charge Chaudhry Akram, they were informed by a caller that he saw the family standing at the bank of the canal. First Fayyaz and his wife threw their minor daughters in the canal and later jumped in themselves.

Rescue 1122 personnel reached the spot and started a rescue operation, but could not recover the bodies after two hours of effort.

A neighbour, Nazir, said Fayyaz was disturbed due to the financial condition of his family, as he was jobless for around three months. His wife was also suffering from a disease and the family could not afford to pay for her treatment.

This misery must have forced the couple to end their own and their children’s lives, he added.

The victims are identified as Fayyaz, 35; Salima Bibi, 30; Rabia, 5; Mastan, 3; and Anam, 1.

Mandi Faizabad police started an investigation.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2020