VEHARI, June 15: A trader allegedly committed suicide after slaying his wife and four children at Warraich Town, 40 kilometres from here, in Burewala’s Model Town police remit on Friday night.

Muhammad Hanif, 45, allegedly served intoxicated meal to members of his family who fell unconscious. He then slew his wife Sajida, 35, daughters Tayyaba, 16, and Amina, 9, and sons Ali Raza, 12, and Hamza, 8.

He contacted his brother Sohail Ahmad by phone and informed him about the incident. He also ended his life before his brother reached there.

A suicide note found beside his body said he had killed himself and his family members to get rid of abject poverty.

The police shifted the bodies to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for autopsy.

Model Town (Burewala) Station House Officer Pervaiz Akhtar told Dawn that the bodies were handed over to relatives. He said initial investigation showed that the trader had taken the extreme step owing to domestic problems.

They quoted Hanif’s relatives and neighbours as saying that he (Hanif) was under stress due to financial worries.

Investigations revealed that Hanif took a house on rent at Warraich Town and turned to jewellery business about a week ago.

Funeral prayers were offered at his native town on Saturday afternoon.

The police registered a case against Hanif under sections 302, 325 of PPC and 13/20/65 AO.