KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the chief secretary to constitute a commission to conduct a thorough probe/research into increase in suicidal trends and its causes in the province. An SHC bench comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar in the order of a petition observed that mental stress results in depression which some time compels one to commit harmful acts, even "suicide".

He stated that suicide numbers were increasing abnormally, particularly in the rural areas, though we are claiming to have entered into the 21st century. The increase in the number of cases of mental illness was required to be studied. Not only to be studied but with steps to prevent such causes or reasons, a written order, which was released on Tuesday, observed.

Justice Salahuddin Panhwar added that no one normally resorted to such an act unless their minds convinced them that this act (suicide) would be a better idea than to face existing circumstances. "I have no hesitation in saying that act of private lending of money on interest is one of the elements because the interests keeps on doubling while man continues getting bogged down.

The giver being not run under any lawful legislation takes liberty to effect recovery of interest by any illegal means which, undeniably, harms the mental health," he observed. He stated that lending money on interest is prohibited in Islam hence such practice needs to be curbed. He observed that it was expedient to make a comprehensive legislation on the subject for covering all the aspects of the mischief of private money lending and matters akin thereto.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020