RAWALPINDI, Oct 17: A man, who allegedly slaughtered his wife and two children at a Raja Bazaar hotel and later stabbed himself, has yet to record his statement, police said.

The police have rejected the theory that it was an act of terrorism. “We are waiting for Mohammad Saleem Boota’s statement which would be useful to ascertain the circumstances behind the triple murder”, a police official said.

“Although the wounded Boota has regained consciousness, he is unable to speak because of an injury to his throat”, a doctor at the district headquarters hospital told Dawn.

Boota is being treated at the intensive care unit of the hospital under tight police security.

A case has been registered against him on murder and suicide charges, the police said.

The bodies of Boota’s wife Bushra Bibi, his eight-year-old daughter, Rizwana; and six-year-old son, Allah Dad were handed over to his father-in-law.

Boota’s father, who was also present at the hospital, dismissed the theory that his son had killed his family because of financial problems”, a police official quoted him as saying.

Boota had checked-in in the hotel in Raja Bazaar with his wife and two children on October 14. On Tuesday morning the bodies were found dipped in a pool of blood in room No 107. Bushra Bibi was found lying in the bathroom while the bodies of the children were found on a bed, the police said.

Preliminary investigation showed that Bushra Bibi and her two children had been given some “pesticide” before they were murdered.

Opinion

Editorial

Iran stalemate
Updated 02 May, 2026

Iran stalemate

THE US and Iran are currently somewhere between war and peace. While a tenuous ceasefire — extended largely due to...
Tax shortfall
02 May, 2026

Tax shortfall

THE Rs684bn shortfall in tax collection during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is a continuation of a...
Teaching inclusion
02 May, 2026

Teaching inclusion

DISCRIMINATORY and exclusionary content in Punjab’s textbooks has been flagged in Inclusive Education for a United...
Water vision
01 May, 2026

Water vision

WATER insecurity in Pakistan has been building up for decades as per capita water availability has declined from...
Vaccine policy
01 May, 2026

Vaccine policy

PAKISTAN has finally approved its first National Vaccine Policy; a step the health ministry has rightly described as...
Labour rights
Updated 01 May, 2026

Labour rights

THE annual observance of May Day should move beyond statements about the state’s commitment to the rights of...