Medical student dies in suspected suicide in Mirpurkhas

KARACHI: A third-year medical student died in an alleged suicide at her home in Mirpurkhas district on Thursday after she reportedly shot herself in the head, according to details shared by her family and officials.

The incident took place near the Shama Ground area within the jurisdiction of Satellite Town police station. The deceased was identified as 21-year-old Fahmeeda Laghari, daughter of Intezar Laghari. Her body was taken to Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas, where a postmortem examination was conducted.

On Thursday, Fahmeeda’s parents and sister held a press conference and accused a teacher and some male fellow students at Ibn-e-Sina University, Mirpurkhas, of harassment and blackmail. They also alleged that the university’s senior administration had failed to act on her complaints, and said this led her to take the extreme step.

In response to the incident, DIG Mirpurkhas Capt (R) Faisal Abdullah Chachar constituted a three-member committee to investigate the case. The committee is headed by SSP Syed Fida Hussain Shah and includes SP Headquarters Mir Aftab Hussain Talpur and ASP Quratulain as members.

Officials said the committee has been directed to complete its inquiry within 10 days. It has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, determining whether any person or official played a role in driving her to suicide, identifying any systemic or procedural shortcomings, and recommending legal as well as disciplinary action.

University Chancellor Dr Syed Razi Muhammad told the media that the institution’s principal had received a verbal complaint from Fahmeeda. He said that instead of taking action, the principal had asked her to submit the complaint in writing. He also said he regretted that the complaint against lecturer Abid Lighari and a student, Abdullah, did not reach his office.

The university has suspended the teacher, according to a notification issued by Vice Chancellor Dr Shamsul Arfeen Khan.

Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah contacted the bereaved family and assured them of his support for what was described as an impartial investigation. He reportedly asked IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho and DIG Mirpurkhas to ensure that anyone found responsible behind the student’s suicide should be punished in accordance with the law.

Separately, Sindh Minister for Women Development Shahina Sher Ali took notice of the matter and directed the department’s Deputy Director Tariq Waheed and Assistant Director Fozia Jamali to assist the family. She also asked police to carry out a holistic investigation.

Meanwhile, the family attempted to register an FIR at Satellite Town police station. Accompanied by senior lawyers who volunteered their services, the parents went to the police station, but the case had not been registered till the filing of the report.