August 2, 2025
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
The Vice Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Awami Action Committee, Javed Iqbal, was shot dead on July 31, 2025, in the Tangir District. The incident also claimed the life of a woman identified as Chaman, the wife of one of the accused.
An FIR has been registered at Jaglot Police Station under Sections 302, 311, 324, and 337(F) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The complaint was lodged by Ameer Hamza, the father of the deceased.
According to the FIR, Javed Iqbal and his wife were washing clothes by a river near their home when two men, identified as Dar Khan and Afsar Khan, opened fire, killing him on the spot. The accused later killed Chaman, the wife of Afsar Khan, who was allegedly involved in an affair with Javed Iqbal. Family members of Chaman were also critically injured during the attack.
Family rejects honour killing narrative
However, the family of Javed Iqbal strongly rejects the claims that the murder was an ‘honour’ killing.
Voicepk spoke to Ameer Hamza, the father of the deceased, who categorically denied the police’s version. “No, it is not an honour killing. This is a lie,” he said.
Nishad Parveen, the wife of Javed Iqbal, also confirmed that the murder was politically motivated. “It is a lie that my husband has been killed in the name of honour. I knew my husband. I am his second wife and he did not even know the woman in whose name he has been killed. They are masking it as an ‘honour’ killing,” Parveen said. “My husband had been the only sane voice in GB, a truth-seeker who worked hard for the rights of the people here.”
Parveen, who was in tears during the interview, appealed for justice.
“I want justice. My husband left behind eight children from his two marriages. We are devastated, and police officials are not cooperating with us,” she said. “Afsar Khan and Dar Khan, the accused, have been threatening us. They are walking freely and come daily to intimidate us. They are a poor family, yet I do not know where they got the weapons they use to threaten us after killing my husband. My husband even helped this family financially because they asked for help, and in return, they killed him. I suspect someone may have paid them to kill him.”
When asked about who might be behind the killing, Parveen hesitated.
“I cannot tell who did this, but please help us. We are continuously being threatened because of this. Whoever is listening to my voice, I want justice for my husband. This is not an ‘honour’ killing. My husband has been killed because of politics.”
Police admit motive is unclear
Iqbal, the Muharir of Jaglot Police Station and the head constable, told Voicepk that the investigation is still ongoing.
“The motive of the killing of Javed Iqbal is still under investigation, but it seems like an honour killing case because the accused Afsar Khan killed Javed Iqbal and after that killed his wife at his home,” he said.
“Javed Iqbal was a good person, we knew him. The motive is still unclear if it is a political killing or not.”
Superintendent of Police (SP) Liaqat also maintained that the case fits the pattern of an ‘honour’ killing. He said the accused’s actions, killing Javed Iqbal first and then shooting his own wife, strongly point towards an honour-related motive.
“The deceased, Javed Iqbal, was killed by two men from his neighborhood. They also murdered the wife of one of the accused, claiming both victims were involved in an affair. This was an ‘honour’ killing,” said SP Liaqat.
He added that Tangir, a district declared in March 2025, has a history of honour-based killings, though incidents have declined with the spread of internet access and development.
“This is the second case of honour killing reported in Tangir District this year,” he said.
The SP also highlighted the legal challenges in prosecuting honour crimes.
“Even when we arrest perpetrators, cases often end with out-of-court settlements facilitated by village elders. The accused typically secure bail after a few months in jail. The judges also agree if the families want to forgive the criminals of ‘honour’ killings,” he explained.
“This time, we have included Section 311 of the PPC in the FIR to strengthen the case and ensure the culprits face justice.”
The suspects, Dar Khan and Afsar Khan, are currently at large. Police have launched a search operation to apprehend them.
HRCP condemns the killing, calls for urgent action
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) issued a strong statement condemning the murders.
“HRCP strongly condemns the brutal ‘honour’ killing of Javed Naji—vice-chairman of the Awami Action Committee in Gilgit-Baltistan—and a married woman in Tangir, Diamer. That Naji was murdered in the presence of his mother and wife underscores the barbarity of the act.
This marks the second such incident in Tangir within a week, with two women and two men killed in the name of ‘honour’. We demand an immediate and transparent investigation, swift prosecution of the perpetrators, and urgent action to dismantle the culture of impunity surrounding honour-based violence in Gilgit-Baltistan.”
Chief Minister calls for clarity
Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, whose home constituency includes Tangir, also spoke to Voicepk.
“Javed Iqbal had two marriages, and apparently, it looks like an honour-based killing because the accused is disabled and he killed his own wife after killing Javed Iqbal,” he said.
“I do not know further details as I am not on the ground. The police can provide more information from the field.”
Awami Action Committee calls for judicial probe
Sher Nadir, a journalist and representative of the Awami Action Committee, also spoke to Voicepk, highlighting the political context of the killing.
“Javed Naji was a resistance political leader and the central vice-chairman of the Awami Action Committee (GB). Due to his struggle for basic public rights, he was placed on the Fourth Schedule, and on May 7, cases were filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 14 leaders of the Awami Action Committee. As a result, he was forced to live in hiding for the past two months,” Nadir said, “In such circumstances, his killing in the name of ‘honour’ raises many questions. We demand the formation of a judicial commission to conduct a transparent investigation and ensure that the nominated suspects are brought to justice.”
Protests in Gilgit demand justice for Javed Naji
In response to the killing, the Awami Action Committee (AAC) staged a large protest in Gilgit, condemning the brutal murder of its Vice Chairman, Javed Naji.
During the demonstration, AAC leaders described the killing as a conspiracy to silence a strong voice that had risen in Diamer for the rights of the people. They demanded a judicial inquiry to uncover the real perpetrators, conspirators, and forces behind the murder.
The committee warned that it would launch a widespread movement if the actual motives behind the killing were not revealed. Leaders urged the people of Diamer, especially the youth, to continue the struggle for the protection of their resources and to carry forward Javed Naji’s mission.
The protest concluded with prayers for the slain leader and assurances to his family that the entire community stands with them until the killers are brought to justice.
This double murder marks the second honour killing reported in Tangir District this year and follows another similar incident in Gilgit-Baltistan within the same week. The conflicting accounts from law enforcement and the victim’s family raise serious questions about the actual motive behind the killing and whether justice will be served