The first information report was filed under section 322 (Punishment for qatl-bis-sabab) of the Pakistan penal code.

Police believe that the accused, Abdullah who was in police custody fought with his wife and then went out of the house. The wife, 35-year-old Fatima Bibi, allegedly got upset and mixed poison in a bottle of coke which she fed the children first and later drank the same poison-laced beverage herself.

Fatima and Abdullah lived in the Barori Hazara Town area of Quetta.

The dead children include three-year-old Alina, six-year-old Armina, eight-year-old Mooeda and ten-year-old Zohra Bibi.

Fatima was alive when rescue worker arrived at the couple’s home on Monday. She was rushed to the hospital and given oxygen on a ventilator, but she also died during the treatment.

According to the police, Abdullah, the father of the children, used to drive a rickshaw and was unemployed.

The bodies were moved to Bolan Medical Complex.

What to do if someone exhibits intent of self-harm

Anxiety and depression is the bane of modern life. But help is just around the corner. If you …

• Are feeling depressed
• Are feeling stressed because of your challenging work environment
• Are suffering from anxiety due to another physical illness
• Have recently been diagnosed with a mental illness
• Your doctor has suggested you to seek counseling
• Feel that no one understands you

You can get in touch with the following mental health helplines and speak to them.

• Umang 0317 4288665
• Umang 0311-7786264
• Mind Organisation 042 35761999
• Talk2me.pk 0333 4065139
• Baat Karo 0335 5743344
• Taskeen 0316 8275336
• Rooh 0333 3337664
• Rozan 0800-22444
• OpenCounseling 042 35761999

Here’s what you should do if someone you know exhibits signs of suicide or a tendency to isolate or self-harm:

• Try to make sure they are not left alone
• Remove any objects they could use to harm themselves.
• Take or encourage the person to seek help from a medical or mental health professional