A 50-year-old widow named Razia ended her life after receiving exorbitant utility bills totaling 25,000 rupees.
The bills included Rs16,000 for gas and Rs9,000 for electricity, which added to her already dire financial situation.
The unfortunate incident occurred in Daska, Punjab.
Razia, who struggled to support her family through a small grain-roasting business, was facing increasing poverty as her three sons were unemployed.
The situation became unbearable when utility company representatives arrived to disconnect her power due to the unpaid bills. In despair, she consumed a poisonous substance, leading to her tragic death.
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This incident echoes another recent case in Faisalabad, where a man named Fida Hussain also took his life due to overwhelming electricity and gas bills amounting to 28,300 rupees.
Such incidents highlight the severe impact of rising utility costs on vulnerable individuals, underscoring a growing crisis that is leaving many in despair.
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 any objects they could use to harm themselves.
• Take or encourage the person to seek help from a medical or mental health professional
You can get in touch with the following mental health helplines and speak to them.
