A 35-year-old woman, Mariam Shehzadi, died by suicide after allegedly consuming sleeping pills and administering them to her two young daughters, aged five and seven, in the Waris Khan area of Rawalpindi. The incident has raised serious concerns about mental health support and child welfare in the region.
Background and Family Situation
According to her family, Mariam had been suffering from prolonged mental distress for an extended period and had been using sleeping pills regularly. They stated that she had been married twice and had two daughters from both marriages, but was reportedly abandoned by both husbands along with the children, leaving her as the primary caregiver. Following the breakdown of her marriages, she was living with her mother along with her children. The household, according to relatives, was under financial strain, frequently struggling to meet basic living expenses and relying on odd jobs and occasional assistance from relatives and neighbours. Family members described a gradual deterioration in her mental well-being, compounded by ongoing economic pressure and lack of stable support.
Incident Details and Aftermath
Reportedly, Mariam left behind a handwritten note in which she accepted responsibility for her actions and expressed a wish that she and her daughters be buried in the same grave. However, her brother reached the residence shortly after the incident and immediately transported all three to the hospital. Police officials confirmed that the two minor girls survived. Police further stated that the children were found to be severely malnourished and in a visibly weakened condition. Despite being five and seven years old, they reportedly appeared significantly underweight, raising concerns about prolonged nutritional neglect and poor living conditions.
Broader Context and Official Response
Authorities have reiterated their appeal to the public to remain vigilant to signs of mental health distress and severe financial hardship within families and communities, and to avoid isolating those who may be struggling. Officials stressed the importance of early support and collective responsibility, noting that sustained distress often becomes visible within social circles long before it escalates into crisis. “In many such cases, people around the individual are aware of the ongoing suffering for years, but timely intervention and support are often missing,” an official source remarked. Early intervention, social support, and mental health awareness can play a vital role in preventing such tragedies and safeguarding vulnerable individuals, especially children.
