From December till the second week of January, 2013, 125 people committed suicide in the country. Most of those who ended their lives did so owing to poverty or domestic feuds. In the same time period, around 55 reported people attempted to end their lives but were eventually saved according to a report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
The story of one Nawaz Ahmad-a resident of Lahore- who attempted suicide is not only heart shaking but also a reflection of the sorry state of affairs in a country plagued by inflation, unemployment and a lack of basic necessities of life.
Depressed by not being able to meet the needs of his family, Nawaz attempted to commit suicide. “I have four sons, the eldest is 10 years old and the youngest is 4 years old. Having only passed Matriculation, I usually earn my living as a labourer. But no matter how hard I work, I am unable to make enough to feed my entire family,” he said talking to Pakistan Today. “Although we are devoid of electricity, gas and water, the bills keep piling up perpetually. I hardly make enough to afford a meal per day for my family, let alone other necessities of life. On days I don’t find a shift, I cannot bear to go home and see my children sleep in hunger,” he said, explaining the circumstances that made him lose heart. “Our political leaders do not spare a thought for people like me. All they have ever done is indulge in loot and plunder, caring the least about doing something for the poor,” he said. Despite working all day long, labourers like Nawaz are unable to eat more than once a day, a phenomenon prevalent throughout the country.
“I see people all around me living extravagant lives in the metropolis, while my children go without meals on most days. What do I do faced with such a situation? At times like these, death is the only option that can end my misery,” he said. “I’ve tried that route a couple of times, I guess I can’t even die on my own terms,” he whispered, perhaps talking to himself.
There is absolutely no future security for families like Nawaz’s in Pakistan. Their children remain uneducated and indulge in child labour to make ends meet, tying them in a perpetual circle whereby generations are forced to live a menial life, well below the poverty line. 65 years following independence, Pakistan has yet to come up with a solid social security plan that covers this stratum of society.
“I am ready to battle these circumstances because my 10-year-old has made me promise not to lose heart. He made me realise how miserable my family would be if I left. He told me not to worry and started working at a tea shop where he makes a hundred bucks per day. He studies at night, and wants to become a person of substance some day so that he can end this wretchedness,” said Nawaz. The story of 10-year-old Yasir is not something new for most people. Instead of going to school, he works for a few rupees in the day and studies at night without a teacher.
Nawaz’s wife Kausar has also started working as a tailor from her house. She said it was very difficult to find work at first but recently a neighbour had been bringing her ladies’ dresses which she stitched day and night to make around 6,000 rupees per month. “I want to support my husband as much as I can and don’t want to see him in distress,” she said. She was in fear that Nawaz might try to end his life again, and prayed for his long life. “Without him, our life is unimaginable,” she said.
“My son has made him promise that he would not do it again,” said Kausar, proudly narrating how Yasir started working to boost his father’s morale.
“With the Almighty’s help things are better now. We are able to make rent and pay our bills,” said Kausar.
Nawaz’s family now has a glimpse of hope and see some light at the end of a very long tunnel. With three members of the family working and the determination of their 10-year-old, they are hopeful of a better tomorrow, whenever it might come. For now, they are battling circumstances for their survival.
According to HRCP, out of the 125 people who committed suicide in the last two months, 25 were women and 67 ended their lives because of domestic feuds. 43 out of these 125 hung themselves to death, while out of all cases of attempted suicide only 13 were registered in an FIR.
