News Detail
Event Title: Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Chairperson Senate Functional Committee On Human Rights presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2025-11-27
The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, convened to discuss gender-based violence (GBV) and the situation of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad.
During the session, Senator Sherry Rehman observed that despite two decades of legislation against GBV, the conviction rate remains alarmingly low. She highlighted that 70 percent of GBV incidents go unreported, and even among reported cases, the national conviction rate hovers around five percent, with certain categories falling to 0.5 percent and domestic violence convictions at only 1.3 percent.
Presenting provincial data, Senator Rehman reported that in the Islamabad Capital Territory, 22 honour-killing cases reported in 2024 resulted in zero convictions, while only seven convictions occurred out of 176 rape cases. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 143 honour-killing cases were reported with zero convictions, and there was only one conviction out of 258 rape cases. Sindh recorded zero convictions out of 243 rape cases and 375 domestic violence cases. Balochistan reported 32 honour killings with no convictions, 21 rape cases with zero convictions, 185 kidnapping and abduction cases with zero convictions, and 160 domestic violence cases, of which only 25 convictions were secured, the highest among provinces in this category yet still alarmingly low. Punjab, which reported the highest number of cases, had only two convictions out of 225 honour killings. Senator Rehman stressed that without a functioning justice system, no number of laws can adequately protect women.
The Chairperson Committee, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri expressed concern that even accessing the courts is an ordeal for victims. The Committee was informed that women comprise only 1 to 1.5 percent of police personnel, medico-legal procedures are flawed, DNA evidence is often mishandled, investigations take over 1.6 months, and challans may take up to five months, all of which weaken prosecution.
The Committee recommended inviting the Advocate General to the next meeting. Senator Zehri urged that all stakeholders including police, prosecution, and medical authorities be brought together to thoroughly discuss systemic failures and suggest measures for resolution. The Committee agreed that representatives from all four provinces and the ICT be called to the next meeting and directed that relevant reports be shared at least three days in advance to allow for effective preparation.
Senator Marri also raised the issue of day-care centres, noting that many existing facilities lacked basic necessities such as attached bathrooms. She recommended that the Committee thoroughly review these matters, stressing that children cannot be expected to remain in inadequate conditions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, the Committee was briefed on the situation of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad. Officials highlighted the total number of detainees, legal assistance provided, consular access, repatriation efforts, and challenges in securing their release. The Committee expressed concern over trafficking networks exploiting citizens through fraudulent visa routes via the Middle East and Africa to Europe.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri stressed that families’ loved ones are often misled by mafias and placed in life-threatening situations abroad. She questioned why such situations should be allowed to occur when preventive measures can be taken to stop individuals from becoming offenders or overstaying abroad. She emphasized the importance of creating awareness for people travelling abroad, including information on risks such as drug trafficking. She added that this awareness should be carried-out through social media and also at airports in coordination with the concerned departments, including ANF and others.
Officials briefed the Committee on recent crackdowns, enhanced evidence thresholds, arrests of traffickers, cooperation with international partners, and regular repatriation of deportees.
The Chairperson reiterated the need for a coordinated national strategy, stricter checks on fake documents and visas, and a unified system to monitor traffickers and prevent misuse of offloading procedures, emphasizing that Pakistan must act proactively to protect the legal and human rights of its citizens abroad
In attendance were Senators Qurat ul Ain Marri, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Poonjo Bheel, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Atta ul Haq, Sherry Rehman, Chairperson NCHR, and senior officials from the relevant department.