In Daska, Punjab, a 50-year-old widow tragically ended her life after being overwhelmed by hefty utility bills.
Razia, the mother of three sons who were unable to secure jobs, was struggling to keep her family afloat through her small grain-roasting business. When she received utility bills totaling Rs 25,000 (Rs 16,000 for gas and Rs 9,000 for electricity), the financial burden became too much to bear.
The situation escalated when the utility company arrived to disconnect her power due to unpaid bills, prompting Razia to take a fatal step by consuming poison. This heartbreaking incident highlights the growing crisis faced by many as energy costs soar.
In a similar tragedy earlier in Faisalabad, another individual, Fida Hussain, also took his own life after receiving utility bills amounting to Rs 28,300. Unable to pay the amount due to unemployment, Fida’s despair led him to end his life by stepping in front of a train.
These incidents underscore the immense pressure high utility costs are placing on struggling families, leaving many unable to cope with the mounting financial challenges.