Hefty power bill forces man to commit self-immolation

Survival is becoming the only objective for a majority of Pakistanis due to the rising inflation, shrinking incomes
and scarce employment opportunities; that why suicides are on the rise in Pakistan at an alarming rate. This fact
was proved again by Muhammad Safdar in the Manchester of Pakistan (Faisalabad) on Wednesday when he
attempted self-immolation after a quarrel with his family members over a heavy electricity bill, which he could not
pay, reported a private TV channel Thursday.
According to details, Safdar, father of four, is living with his brothers in Partab Nagar. He was jobless nowadays
and the family had to sustain on the meagre resources generated by his wife, who is running a small shop in the
same street they are living at.
A quarrel surfaced between Muhammad Safdar and his family members over heavy electricity bill that had to be
paid within a few days, because he failed to share the burden. Resultantly, he got depressed and sprinkled oil to
set himself on fire.
He was shifted to the Allied Hospital in a critical condition, where doctors are saying that almost 80 per cent of
his body is burnt.
Safdars 80 percent body is burnt, however, efforts are underway to save his life, hospital sources said.