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: 2026-05-06
Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights Reviews GBV Reforms, Target Killing Case, Women’s Rights and Afghan Visa Issues
A meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights was held under the chairpersonship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri to consider multiple matters of public importance, including the target killing of Ahmed Javed S/O Adil Rasheed, human rights concerns of Afghan women facing visa revocations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, progress on reforms to improve conviction rates in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, and Resolution No. 584 regarding challenges faced by women and girls in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Senator Khalil Tahir, Senator Poonjo Bheel, Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Senator Aimal Wali Khan and Senator Abid Sher Ali.
The Committee received a detailed briefing from the Ministry of Human Rights on measures undertaken to improve conviction rates in GBV cases. It was informed that conviction rates, previously around 4% before 2020, have improved significantly with the establishment of 480 GBV courts, six Anti-Rape Crisis Cells (ARCCs), and a strengthened legal framework post-2021. However, the conviction rate in rape cases for year 2025 in Punjab remains as low as 4% and the highest in Sindh 22% whereas in other parts of the country are as follows Balochistan 12%, ICT 6.9% and KPK 6%. The Committee expressed concern over delays in sexual offence cases, lack of defined timelines, and challenges in the collection of digital evidence. Emphasizing the need for capacity building in forensic sciences, the Chairperson stressed strengthening the criminal justice chain from FIR registration to trial to ensure timely justice. The chairperson appreciated the Ministry's efforts and decided to continue deliberations on the matter in subsequent meetings.
Taking up the case of Ahmed Javed’s target killing in Lahore, the Committee raised serious concerns over discrepancies in FIRs and changes in the nature of the case, including the exclusion of Anti-Terrorism Act provisions. The Committee noted that the firing of 136 bullets indicated elements of terrorism rather than personal enmity. The Prosecutor General Punjab informed that the case was altered based on the complainant’s FIR, in line with judicial precedents, and that relevant provisions could still be added at later stages through a supplementary challan. The Chairperson committee directed the Inspector General of Police Punjab and the Prosecutor General to submit a comprehensive report in the next meeting, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring justice.
The Committee also heard the victim’s father and expressed concern over the broader law and order situation, urging the Ministry of Interior to take necessary measures.
The Jaranwala incident involving the burning of houses belonging to the Christian community was also discussed, with the Committee highlighting the misuse of religious narratives to settle personal vendettas. The Chairperson emphasized the need for societal reform through education, particularly in schools and seminaries, and directed submission of a detailed report in the next meeting.
The Chairperson took serious notice of a recent abduction-turned-murder case in Islamabad, where the victim’s body was recovered from Mardan. She directed authorities to submit a complete timeline from FIR registration to Safe City tracking and recovery of the body within 48 hours.
While considering Resolution No. 584, the Committee noted Pakistan’s ranking at 148th in the Global Gender Parity Report and highlighted both performance and data gaps. The Ministry of Human Rights informed that it has recommended increasing women’s representation in the Federal Cabinet to at least 10%. It was also apprised that women participation in civil services has improved significantly. The Chairperson Functional Committee underscored the importance of women’s participation in all sectors for national development and stressed the need to address persistent socio-economic and cultural barriers.
Senator Aimal Wali was of the view that Afghans should be given the nationality and also discussed the issue of visa revocations affecting Afghan women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the Chairperson directed the Interior to share the government policy provisions in this regard as no injustice is done in this regard, a humane and pragmatic policy. The Chairperson urged the Ministry of interior to formulate policies that safeguard human rights and provide legal pathways on humanitarian grounds.
The meeting concluded with directions for submission of detailed reports on all key matters in the next session.