News Detail
Event Title: Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Chairperson Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad
Event Date: 2026-06-15
Senate Human Rights Committee Reviews Honour Killings, Illegal Jirgas, Ahmed Javed Case and Jaranwala Incident; Calls for Stronger Legal Reforms
The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights met at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, under the chairpersonship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri to examine critical human rights issues, including the legal and constitutional status of jirgas and panchayats, honour killings, the low conviction rate in gender-based violence (GBV) cases, challenges within the prosecution and criminal justice system, the targeted killing of Ahmed Javed in Lahore, and the investigation and prosecution status of the 2023 Jaranwala incident.
The meeting was attended by Senator Khalil Tahir, Senator Poonjo Bheel, and Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, while Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan participated as mover of the agenda item. Representatives from relevant government departments and prominent civil society organizations also attended the meeting.
The Committee received detailed briefings from all four provinces on honour killing cases reported during past five years, including statistics, underlying causes, and vulnerable districts. Members expressed concern over the continued use of the term “honour killing” for what was described as a grave criminal act. The Committee questioned the persistently low conviction rates across the country, with particular concern over the extremely low conviction rates reported in Balochistan and Sindh.
Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri highlighted concerns regarding delayed registration of FIRs and the misuse of legal provisions that may contribute to weak prosecution outcomes in GBV cases. The Committee also examined the legal basis of jirgas and panchayats that continue to adjudicate matters related to honour killings and other criminal offences despite clear judicial pronouncements and constitutional safeguards.
The Chairperson noted that while such practices appear less prevalent in Punjab, reports indicate that jirgas remain active in parts of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Committee emphasized that parallel justice systems undermine the rule of law and contribute to the perpetuation of harmful social practices. Members also highlighted the role of feudal and tribal structures in fostering fear and discouraging access to formal justice mechanisms.
Civil society representatives identified serious procedural and evidentiary gaps in criminal trials that often result in acquittals. The Prosecutor General Punjab briefed the Committee on legal provisions aimed at strengthening punishment in honour killing cases. However, the Committee expressed concern over the practical implementation of such provisions and the possibility of cases being reclassified under alternative motives such as personal enmity or inheritance disputes using Compounding Crime Caluses as well as delays in FIR registration.
The Committee was further briefed on the issue of witness hostility and withdrawal of testimony, a major factor contributing to acquittals. Members proposed the increased use of video-recorded witness statements to strengthen evidentiary integrity and improve conviction rates.
During the discussion, some participants suggested formalizing jirgas as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. The Committee categorically rejected the proposal, reiterating that unconstitutional forums cannot be legitimized under any framework. The Chairperson directed authorities to ensure strict implementation of constitutional and legal provisions against such practices and reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The Committee also deliberated on the growing influence of social media in shaping narratives around gender-based violence and honour-related crimes. Concerns were raised regarding online misogyny, misinformation, and attempts to influence investigations and judicial proceedings. Chairperson Zehri directed the relevant authorities to present a practical and lawful framework for addressing harmful online content, particularly in sub judice matters. The Committee also called upon mainstream media to exercise greater responsibility in reporting GBV cases, especially where sensationalized coverage may adversely affect children and vulnerable communities.
The Committee expressed serious displeasure over the absence of representative from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and directed that the agency must ensure its presence at the next meeting.
The Committee was also briefed on the targeted killing of Ahmed Javed in Lahore. Members raised concerns regarding the grant of bail to the accused, non inclusion of accused name into ECL and allegations of character assassination of the victim during legal proceedings and public discourse.
Reviewing the status of the 2023 Jaranwala incident, the Committee received updates regarding investigations, arrests, compensation, and rehabilitation measures following the attacks on churches and homes belonging to members of the Christian community. The Committee expressed concern over delays in compensation, encouraging of hate speech by authorities against the Christian community by labeling them accused, and reports regarding the nomination of members of the affected community in criminal cases related to Jaranwala incident.
Chairperson National Commission for Human Rights described the Jaranwala incident as a national tragedy and emphasized the need for timely justice and compensation. While acknowledging progress in compensating major churches, concerns were raised regarding unresolved issues affecting smaller places of worship and individual victims. The chairperson also showed displeasure over absence of IG Punjab and directed to ensure presence in next meeting.
The Committee also questioned delays in identifying and arresting all perpetrators and expressed concern over reports suggesting that members of the Christian community had been nominated in certain cases, potentially creating pressure on victims. The Committee unanimously resolved to treat the Jaranwala incident as a test case for accountability, justice, and minority rights protection in Pakistan.
The Committee reaffirmed its unwavering support for the protection of all vulnerable segments of society including Christian community and reiterated its commitment to ensure fair compensation, transparent investigations, and the prosecution of all individuals responsible for the violence.