Heartbreaking Incident in Hyderabad: Father Kills His Children and Himself Due to Poverty
Hyderabad, July 2025 – A tragic incident in Hyderabad shocked the city when a father, overwhelmed by poverty and unemployment, killed his children and then himself. The heartbreaking event has sparked serious concerns about mental health and rising economic struggles in Pakistan.
What Happened?
According to police and local sources, the man, identified as Rashid Ali, aged 38, was a father of three children. He had been unemployed for several months and was struggling to feed his family. On the morning of July 6, neighbors reported hearing cries from the family’s small home in a low-income neighborhood of Hyderabad.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the lifeless bodies of Rashid and his three children — two sons and a daughter — inside their home. The mother, who had gone to a nearby market, returned to discover the horrifying scene and collapsed in shock.
Authorities say that Rashid used a sharp object to kill his children while they were asleep and then took his own life shortly after. The children were aged between 4 and 8 years.
The Reason Behind the Tragedy
Police investigations and interviews with neighbors revealed that Rashid had lost his job as a factory worker earlier this year. Since then, he had been desperately looking for work but found nothing. He often expressed frustration and hopelessness about not being able to provide food and other basic needs for his children.
Neighbors said Rashid was a quiet man who loved his children deeply. But in recent weeks, he appeared emotionally broken and frequently mentioned that he felt like a “failure as a father.” His wife also confirmed that he had been showing signs of depression and mental stress, but they could not afford medical treatment.
This horrifying act is believed to be the result of financial pressure, mental health struggles, and a feeling of helplessness that finally pushed him over the edge.
Police and Government Response
After confirming the deaths, the police sealed the area and began a formal investigation. They found a note near the father’s body, in which he apologized for his actions and wrote, “I cannot see my children starving anymore. I have failed them. Please forgive me.”
Hyderabad police have promised a complete investigation, and the bodies were taken to a government hospital for post-mortem examination.
The Chief Minister of Sindh ordered the Social Welfare Department to reach out to the grieving mother and provide her with immediate support, including psychological counseling and financial aid.
Reactions from the Community
The entire neighborhood is in shock. People who knew Rashid described him as a kind and hardworking man who never showed signs of violence. A local shopkeeper said, “He used to buy small packets of milk and bread for his kids, but in recent days, he would return empty-handed. It’s painful to think what he was going through.”
Experts Speak Out
Mental health and social experts say that incidents like these are becoming more common due to the rising cost of living, unemployment, and lack of mental health support in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Mental Health Survey, over 30% of adults in low-income communities face symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Dr. Samina Qureshi, a psychologist in Karachi, explained, “Poverty is not just a financial problem. It becomes a mental burden that affects how a person thinks and behaves. When people feel helpless, they may begin to see extreme actions as the only way out.”
She emphasized the need for urgent steps to provide mental health services at the community level and suggested that awareness campaigns should be run in urban and rural areas.
The Bigger Picture: Poverty in Pakistan
According to recent government data, over 39% of the population lives below the poverty line, and thousands of families struggle daily to afford food, medicine, and rent.
Unemployment, inflation, and lack of social safety nets are pushing many people into deep despair. While programs like BISP and Ehsaas exist, experts argue that more targeted and effective support is needed for families in extreme crisis.
Calls for Action
Following this tragedy, human rights groups and social activists are demanding immediate action.
- Increase emergency financial support for unemployed families.
- Make mental health services affordable and widely available.
- Launch community-level hotlines for people facing emotional and financial crises.
- Strengthen job creation programs for low-income workers.
A Karachi-based NGO, “Hope for All,” has also offered to support the surviving mother and is appealing to citizens to donate to help other families in similar conditions.
Conclusion
The tragic deaths of Rashid Ali and his three innocent children in Hyderabad have broken many hearts. But beyond the sadness lies a serious message — poverty, hopelessness, and lack of mental health support can lead to unimaginable tragedies.
This incident must be a wake-up call for all of us — the government, society, and communities — to come together and ensure that no parent ever feels so helpless again. Lives can be saved if we act early, listen with compassion, and support those in pain before it is too late.
