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: 2026-05-20
The Functional Committee on Human Rights met today at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, under the chairpersonship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri to deliberate upon multiple matters of public importance relating to human rights and law enforcement.
The meeting was attended by Senator Khalil Tahir, Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Senator Naseema Ehsan and senior representatives of the relevant attached departments and law enforcement agencies.
At the outset, the Committee took serious notice of the absence of the Inspector General of Police Punjab during proceedings concerning the targeted killing of Ahmed Javed, son of Adil Rasheed, associated with Central Group of Colleges Pakistan, in DHA-9 Lahore. The matter had earlier been raised as a Point of Public Importance by Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan in the Senate sitting held on November 13, 2025, and was subsequently referred to the Committee for consideration and report.
During deliberations, the Chairperson Committee observed that the alleged firing of 136 bullets at a single victim was “beyond comprehension” and required an extensive and transparent probe. The Committee emphasized that the matter carries serious public concern and demands impartial legal scrutiny.
The Committee was informed that throughout the judicial proceedings neither the learned trial court directed the addition of provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, nor was any application moved by the complainant’s counsel seeking incorporation of ATA provisions at any stage. It was further submitted that, based on the material available on record, the matter consistently remained within the ambit of ordinary criminal law and did not fulfill the statutory requirements of “terrorism” as interpreted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The Committee was further apprised that the complainant had also instituted a private complaint before the competent court; however, no offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 had been alleged or invoked in the said complaint, which is fixed for hearing on May 14, 2026.
The Committee was also briefed regarding separate criminal proceedings relating to alleged illegal and unauthorized weapons. It was informed that FIR No. 1777/25 dated November 14, 2025 under Section 13(2-b) of the Punjab Arms Ordinance, 1965, FIR No. 1778/25 dated November 14, 2025 under Section 13(2-b), FIR No. 83/26 dated January 20, 2026 under Section 13(2-b), FIR No. 1499/25 dated November 12, 2025 under Section 13(2-a), and FIR No. 3121/25 dated November 15, 2025 under Section 13(2-a) had been duly registered at Police Stations Defence-B, Millat Park and Defence-C Lahore respectively, and were being proceeded with independently in accordance with law.
The Committee was informed that issues concerning illegal weapons, unlawful display of armed persons, validity of arms licences and irregular private security arrangements are already under separate legal proceedings under the Punjab Arms Ordinance, 1965 and other applicable legal frameworks. Officials further informed the Committee that as part of province-wide enforcement measures against illegal weapons, a total of 9,968 FIRs relating to illegal weapons were registered during 2025, while 2,998 FIRs had already been registered during 2026 so far. Additionally, 30 FIRs pertaining to “Dala Culture” and unauthorized display or use of private armed guards had also been registered during 2025-26.
The Chairperson Committee stated, “I do not want to influence the case or the court. All I want to see is that everything is proceeding according to law and that no injustice takes place to either party.”
The Committee was informed by the victim’s side that the main accused had been granted bail while two other accused persons were also expected to obtain bail in due course.
The Committee thereafter received a detailed briefing regarding the Jaranwala incident of August 16, 2023 involving attacks on churches and the Christian community. The Committee was informed that more than 5,000 individuals had initially been accused in the matter according to report of the Supreme Court. However, authorities informed the Committee that 382 accused persons had so far been arrested.
The Committee discussed the earlier decision of the then Prime Minister regarding compensation for each affected Christian family. The Chair directed that the report submitted before the Supreme Court be presented before the Committee in the next meeting. It was further recommended that the Special Branch report also be submitted, as it may reveal facts relating to alleged police lacunas and negligence during the incident. Members observed that the incident had severely affected the Christian community and stressed the importance of ensuring justice, accountability and communal harmony.
The Committee also held a comprehensive discussion on the abduction and murder of Mr. Farrukh Afzal, who was abducted from Sector F-6/1 Islamabad and later found murdered near Mardan.
The Committee was informed that on May 4, 2026 at approximately 12:17 AM, upon receiving information through wireless communication, the SHO Police Station Kohsar Islamabad along with SI Talat and other police officials immediately proceeded to Sector F-6/1 Street No. 38 and reached the location within approximately five minutes.
Officials informed the Committee that at the initial stage, the complainant and local residents were unable to provide clear particulars regarding the vehicles used by the accused persons. Nevertheless, police authorities immediately alerted all checkpoints and constituted multiple investigation teams. Through scrutiny of CCTV footage and Safe City camera recordings, details of the vehicles used by the accused persons were subsequently ascertained.
The Committee was informed that on May 4, 2026, complainant Chaudhry Afzal son of Ghulam Qadir submitted a written application before Police Station Kohsar Islamabad, upon which FIR No. 205/2026 dated May 4, 2026 under Section 365 PPC was registered.
Authorities further informed the Committee that at approximately 7:40 PM on the same day, information was received from Mardan Police regarding recovery of a mutilated dead body, later identified by relatives as Farrukh Afzal. The body was subsequently shifted to PIMS Islamabad where postmortem examination was conducted on May 5, 2026. Following the developments, Sections 302, 201 and 34 PPC were added to the case.
The Committee was informed that two accused persons, including one female accused namely Saif Ullah son of Akbar Khan and Mahnoor Shahid daughter of Shahid, had been arrested and placed on judicial remand, while another accused Said Ali son of Bahrigul was arrested in District Swat and his transfer process through the Home Department KPK was underway.
Officials informed the Committee that the case emerged as one of personal enmity allegedly orchestrated by a 20-year-old girl who had previously registered an FIR against the deceased and his friends. It was stated that the girl, with the assistance of a close associate, allegedly planned revenge against the deceased and his companions. The postmortem report confirmed that the cause of death was multiple head injuries.
Islamabad Police informed the Committee that coordinated action had been carried out simultaneously across four districts in collaboration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. While the police response was appreciated, members observed that considering F-6 is a highly sensitive and high-profile area, the response should have been even more effective and timely.
The Committee was further informed that no lapse or negligence on the part of Kohsar Police Station or ICT Police had surfaced during investigation. Police authorities stated that enhanced patrolling, surveillance, intelligence-based operations and inter-district coordination measures had now been adopted to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
The Committee also considered the Point of Public Importance raised by Senator Naseema Ehsan in the Senate on May 8, 2026 regarding the honour killing of a girl in District Khairpur Sindh.
The Committee was informed that the girl was allegedly killed by her uncle and that four persons had been nominated in the case. Authorities informed members that the victim had been married but was residing at her parents’ home after her husband reportedly went missing three years ago. It was further stated that allegations had surfaced regarding her friendship with a man and that on the day of the incident she had reportedly gone missing before being returned by the brother of the man concerned.
During the proceedings, Senator Naseema Ehsan questioned the role and presence of police authorities at the time of the incident and strongly condemned honour killings, stating that individuals involved in such crimes should face the strictest punishment as innocent girls continue to become victims of such practices.
The Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri stated that jirga and panchayat systems must be abolished and declared illegal in light of Supreme Court judgments. The Bill is also supported by superior court jurisprudence. In National Commission on Status of Women v. Government of Pakistan, PLD 2019 SC 218, the Supreme Court held that jirgas and panchayats cannot assume the jurisdiction of courts. In Muhammad Abbas v. The State, PLD 2020 SC 620, the Supreme Court clarified that killing in the name or on the pretext of honour cannot be treated as a lesser form of homicide under section 302(c) PPC. These judgments support the legislative need to remove reliance on honour, moral outrage, loss of control or grave and sudden provocation as mitigating pleas.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri further stated that while passing a bill in the Interior Committee she introduced amendments relating to honour killing laws. The Bill further addresses the compromise and waiver loophole. In honour killing cases, heirs may be compromised, pressured, or themselves involved in the offence, resulting in perpetrators escaping punishment. Another amendment introduced in the Bill targets the practical enforcement gaps that continue after the 2016 Honour Killing Amendment Act.
The Committee was informed that such crimes remain alarmingly high in several areas of Sindh. Reports identify northern Sindh districts, including Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Larkana, as areas where karo-kari remains common. Members were informed that a common pattern in Ghotki cases involves women or couples being accused of “illicit relations” or free-will marriage before being attacked by close relatives. Earlier Ghotki cases include killings in Yaroo Lund/Achar Shar village and another case in which a woman was killed after a free-will marriage.
The Committee was informed that the principal accused had been arrested and that investigation and final reporting were underway.
The Chairperson Committee directed the authorities to submit reports regarding various unresolved cases, including a gang rape case related to a tribal area in Sindh. The Committee also sought reports regarding another case in which a mother allegedly sold her child, as well as a separate case involving tribal violence.
The Committee further discussed the need for additional legislative amendments concerning honour killing laws and related enforcement mechanisms.
During concluding remarks, the Chairperson Committee inquired from the authorities regarding measures being taken against individuals involved in illegal burials without reporting deaths to NADRA, observing that such acts constitute violations of law and undermine the legal documentation system of the country. The Chairperson also referred to concerns regarding Qari Kabristan in Ghotki, where illegal burials were reportedly taking place without proper legal documentation or registration with NADRA authorities.