SUKKUR: A grieving family blocked a section of the National Highway near Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro Park in Jacobabad on Thursday, placing a relative’s body across the road in protest against local moneylenders.

The demonstrators transported the body to the site in an ambulance, completely halting traffic in both directions for several hours.

The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Hanif Laghari, a resident of Jan Mohammad Talani Colony. He reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack following the alleged systematic harassment by moneylenders over an outstanding loan.

Speaking to journalists during the highway blockade, the deceased’s sons, Abdul Hafeez and Abdul Aziz Laghari, alleged that their father had been subjected to relentless pressure by a group of lenders, whom they identified as Sadiq Dayo, Arif Jakhrani and Manzoor Lashari, among others.

“Our father was repeatedly harassed over an interest-based loan, which caused him immense mental stress.

He suffered a heart attack and died as a direct result,” they alleged.

The family stated that illegal moneylending has become a severe menace for the residents of Jacobabad, and urged the authorities to crack down on the practice.

They have appealed to the SSP of Jacobabad to investigate the incident, register a criminal case against the accused, and ensure justice for their father.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2026