GUJRANWALA, July 10: A father of eleven children, who had been unemployed for the past three years, committed suicide at Gulzar Colony on Thursday.

Muhammad Rafique had no gainful employment for the last three years, but had liabilities enhancing with every passing day. Three of his daughters have attained marriageable age, something he felt bad about for he had no means to fulfill the obligation.

He took poison and died at the District Headquarters Hospital.

Muhammad Umar, a 13-year-old son of the deceased, told Dawn that his father would remain tense and depressed. He had no means, after losing a job, to marry his (Rafique’s) three daughters.

“I want to get rid of miseries which are getting unbearable for me. May Allah protect you after my death,” the boy quoted his father as uttering as last words.

“I had been helping my father by working after leaving my studies, but he has left us in the lurch,” Umar sobbed out his ordeal.

Some neighbours of the deceased told Dawn that many people in the colony had been financially helping the family.

Just three months ago Rafique married his daughter with the help of his acquaintances.—IMRAN SALEEM