Reports of deliberate self-harm are rare from Pakistan where psychotropic drugs can be obtained over the counter. A retrospective analysis of 382 index cases presenting to a university hospital in Karachi showed self-poisoning with benzodiazepines as the most common method, followed by organophosphate insecticides. Salicylates & non-opiate analgesics were significantly absent from this series. Implications of the study findings are discussed. (7 refs.)