What could be termed a most shocking incident, a man in Karachi, after burning his three children alive, committed suicide, police said on Wednesday. According to reports, 35-year-old Arif, son of Muhammad Bashir, resident of house no L-246, sector 5, C4 North Karachi, took his children, five-year-old Hooria, four-year-old Iman Fatima and three-year-old Ghulam Hussain to a nearby Auckland Ground where he committed the ghastly act. Arif, who was a fruit vendor, had two wives.  His son Hammad told the police that he was at work when he learnt about the incident. He dispelled the impression that his father was facing financial issues. “I would earn the money and meet his and other family members’ expenses,” he informed.

However, he said his father was worried for the last few days. “He would wake up late at night and was not eating meals properly,” Hammad added.   Arif’s mother-in-law said that his daughter’s was Arif’s second wife. “The children who had been burnt alive were from his first wife, who had passed away,” she elaborated. She went on to say that Arif was mentally disturbed and had been undergoing spiritual treatment. Police, on the other hand, said the incident appeared to be the consequence of a family dispute. The Force said they had started the investigation after collecting evidence from the crime scene.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)