A man shot dead his wife and four children before killing himself in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, police said on Monday, as investigators probed the murder-suicide and allegations raised by the deceased suspect in a video shared online.
Federal and provincial governments in Pakistan allot official residences to their employees based on their grade and eligibility, with the demand often exceeding the available housing units, particularly in major cities.
The murder-suicide occurred in Wahdat Colony, an area that is home to government residences and where Asif Khan, a government employee, committed suicide after killing his wife and four children.
Khan recorded a video before the incident and said he and his family were suffering severe mental torture by his “neighbors,” who were allegedly forcing him to leave the government residence and threatening him with dire consequences.
“People who were named in Asif’s video have been detained by Quetta Police and are being investigated,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Imran Shoukat told Arab News.
“Investigations are going on to ascertain the reasons behind this heart-wrenching incident.”
Government employees who are not allotted official accommodation may instead receive a house rent allowance as part of their salary package, while occupants of government residences are typically required to vacate the premises upon retirement or transfer.
Sarfaraz Bugti, chief minister of Pakistan’s Balochistan province where the incident happened, ordered an impartial inquiry into the matter.
“Following revelations in Asif Khan’s video, two suspects are in police custody now and being investigated,” Shahid Rind, an aide to CM Bugti, said in a statement. “The incident is being reviewed from all aspects and after the investigations, those responsible for this act would be dealt strictly.”