KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Dr Farooq Sattar on Wednesday expressed grief over the deaths of five members of a family in Karachi, reportedly linked to financial hardship, and called for a serious review of the country’s economic policies.
In a statement, Sattar described the incident as a moment of introspection for the government, saying that poverty, hunger and economic distress had once again highlighted the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens.
“Since we are ourselves part of the government, this is not merely a time to question others but also to recognise our own responsibilities and take practical steps,” he said.
Questioning the country’s economic policymakers, Sattar said that if ordinary citizens were unable to provide two meals a day for their children, the government needed to seriously reconsider its economic policies.
He called for the formulation of people-friendly policies aimed at reducing inflation, creating employment opportunities and providing meaningful relief to low-income and middle-class households.
Read More: Poverty cited in note after five found dead in Karachi
Sattar stressed that the primary purpose of being in government was to serve the public and resolve their problems.
He said the government must ensure that no citizen was driven to despair by hunger, unemployment or helplessness.
“This is not a time merely for expressing sorrow and issuing statements, but for taking practical measures, implementing effective policies and providing immediate assistance to deserving families,” he said.
Meanwhile, police recovered a suicide note pointing to financial difficulties and strained family relationships after five members of a family, including a married couple, their two young daughters and the man’s sister, were found dead at a house in Karachi’s Bin Qasim area.
The bodies were discovered at a house in a private housing society near Gulshan-e-Hadeed during the night between Monday and Tuesday.
The deceased were identified as 30-year-old Shahzaib, a property dealer; his 28-year-old wife, Saba; his 20-year-old sister, Shumaila; and their daughters, five-year-old Aizal and three-year-old Arya.
Police also recovered a bloodstained handwritten note from the scene. The note described the family’s financial difficulties and unsuccessful attempts to seek assistance from relatives.