Pakistan govt detains officials after civil servant’s murder-suicide in Quetta
Quetta civil servant killed his family and himself after alleging harassment over government housing. Three officials named in his video message have been taken into custody
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FILE: A case has been registered against suspects under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The Balochistan government has launched a high-level investigation and detained three senior officials following the tragic murder-suicide of a Civil Secretariat employee on Monday, who killed his family and himself after releasing a video alleging intense administrative harassment over his government-allotted housing.
Before the incident, the man recorded a video message alleging that two senior officers had pressured him to vacate his government-allotted home.
What happened in Quetta's Wahdat Colony?
Police identified the employee as Muhammad Asif, son of Musa Khan. His wife Bibi Zainab and four children, Huzaifa, 14, Hoorain, 12, Alina, 6, and Maharna, 18 months, were killed.
Asif was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died, bringing the total death toll to six. The bodies were transferred to Bolan Medical Complex Hospital for legal procedures.
What did the video message allege?
In a pre-recorded video that circulated on social media, Asif alleged that two senior officers of the Balochistan Secretariat had subjected him to administrative pressure and threats to force him to vacate his government-allotted quarters, where his family had lived for several years.
He appealed directly to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to take notice of the alleged institutional pressure before carrying out the act.
How did the government respond?
Chief Minister Bugti condemned the incident and ordered an immediate inquiry, directing law enforcement to detain every individual named by the deceased.
Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove sought a comprehensive report from the Quetta commissioner and the Inspector General of Police within 24 hours.
Three officials named in the video were taken into police custody for questioning: Under Secretary Aftab Jabal, Director of Industries Iqbal Sarparah, and Saeed Mengal.
Government aide Shahid Rind said anyone found guilty of contributing to the family's distress would be dealt with strictly.
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