TOBA TEK SINGH: A man allegedly gave poison to his wife and all five children at Chak 520-GB on Friday, resulting in the death of his three daughters and a son, while his spouse and a daughter have been hospitalised in a critical condition.

According to Rescue 1122, suspect Asghar’s wife Nazia Bibi told police in hospital she was admitted to after being poisoned, that she and her husband quarrelled over expenses of their household and wedding of their daughters. She said following the quarrel Asghar made tea which was taken by all the family members except the suspect. She said around half an hour after taking the tea, she and the children fell sick.

They were shifted to the DHQ hospital where, during treatment, the couple’s daughters Madiha (18), Sania (17), Iqra (13) and son Ali Hasan (7), expired, while Nazia Bibi (40) and her daughter Aqsa (15) were referred to the Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, due to their critical condition.

Saddar police have registered an FIR against Asghar under sections 302 and 337 of PPC on the complaint of his father-in-law, Azam, of Chak 364-JB, Gojra.

Their mother, a sister critical in hospital

The complainant said in the FIR that the suspect brought cow milk and mixed poison in it. He said by taking tea prepared with that milk, the suspect’s wife and children fell unconscious and consequently four of the children later died.

Police spokesperson said raids are being conducted to arrest the accused Asghar.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2024