August 25, 2026
By Hafiz Ullah Storai Sherani
ISLAMABAD
Hina Javed’s brutal murder suspectedly by her husband with alleged help from their domestic worker, has shaken the country, while also spiking conversation around the persistent issue of violence against women especially within their homes. Many people have expressed their shock and dismay at the involvement of her husband in her murder – a professor of NUST university, who it was later found had also been accused of domestic violence by his first wife as well.
Research into Hina’s personal life shows she was a strong and dedicated professional who after completing her Master’s degree in Mathematics, began her career at the National Information Technology Board (NITB). She was initially hired as a content writer for the Speaker’s Office and the National Assembly Secretariat. In November 2019, she was promoted to Media Executive at the Directorate General of Media, NA Secretariat, where she served until June 2026.
In June 2026, upon the completion of her deputation at the NA Secretariat, NITB deputed her to the Communications Team at the President’s House.
Hina’s cousin, Sabah Bano Malik, told Voicepk in an interview about the kind of person she was.
“She was an extremely career-oriented and dedicated woman,” said Malik. “She wasn’t someone who just went with the flow. She was a thoughtful, independent woman who had a clear vision and ambition for her life.”
She also personally took care of both her parents. Her father is wheelchair-bound due to advanced Parkinson’s disease, while her mother is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. According to Sabah, even after her marriage, Hina visited her parents almost daily to attend to their needs.
Reflecting on the trauma facing the family, Sabah Bano Malik said, “Her mother’s Alzheimer’s has progressed to the point where we don’t even know if she understands what happened to Hina. She waits for Hina every day. I don’t know if our family will ever recover from this shock.”
In November 2025, Hina married Faisal Asghar based on a 20-year-old family connection, Sabah explained.
“It was an arranged marriage facilitated through family friends,” said Sabah. “Hina entered this new phase of her life with complete autonomy, joy, and without any family pressure. At the time of her murder, they had been married for barely 9 to 10 months.”
The morning of August 20 and scenes of horror
According to the FIR registered at Civil Lines Police Station on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Fahad Javed Akhtar, the victim’s father-in-law, Retired Colonel Asghar Ali, called at around 5:30 AM on August 20, 2026, stating ‘there was an emergency’ and asking them to reach immediately. When the family arrived at the flat at 7:23 AM, Hina’s body was on the bathroom floor.
The FIR details reveal that both hands of the victim were tied tightly behind her back with cloth, a piece of cloth was stuffed into her mouth, and an electric wire was wrapped around her neck. Blood and foam were coming out of her mouth and nose.
According to the FIR, this was the second marriage of the primary accused, Faisal Asghar, whose first wife had also divorced him due to domestic abuse while it was alleged that he had been subjecting Hina to continuous physical and mental torture since their marriage.
The preliminary post-mortem report issued by Dr. Maria Khalid, Woman Medical Officer and Medico-Legal Examiner at Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), Rawalpindi, clarifies the medical circumstances of the incident.
The medical report document obtained by Voicepk notes that a fracture of the hyoid bone—an extremely crucial and sensitive neck structure is recorded, indicating severe pressure or strangulation. A ligature mark, 27 cm long, (cable or cord mark) was found around the victim’s neck. Multiple bruises and signs of physical violence were present on the victim’s hands, legs, and the right iliac fossa (lower right abdomen). Both lungs were severely congested, while the cardiac chambers were filled with liquid blood. The post-mortem examination estimated the time of death to be approximately 10 to 12 hours prior to the examination. To rule out poisoning or chemical substances, samples of the liver, kidneys, stomach contents, skin pieces, and DNA swabs were dispatched to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) in Lahore, and the final report is awaited.
Conflicting statements by the accused
Pakistani news outlet Samaa News claimed, citing investigative sources, that the arrested domestic worker, Zeeshan, changed his statement multiple times during interrogation. In his first statement, he claimed that the husband, Faisal Asghar, assaulted Hina during a fight and strangled her. In his second statement, he claimed that both he and Faisal held Hina down and strangled her together. In his third statement, he took full responsibility, claiming he committed the murder alone.
When Voicepk reached out to Investigating Officer (IO) Muhammad Arif at Civil Lines Police Station regarding these claims, he stated that the matter is highly sensitive and under active investigation, meaning details of interrogation statements or disclosures cannot be shared with the media at this stage.
However, police previously confirmed to Voicepk that immediately following the incident, scientific evidence was gathered, and both the husband, Faisal Asghar, and the domestic worker, Zeeshan, were arrested from the scene and placed on physical remand. Regarding the victim’s father-in-law, Colonel (Rtd) Asghar Ali, who is also named in the case, police confirmed that he is currently absconding, and raids are underway to arrest him,however his role in the case was also yet to be determined.
A seven-member team, headed by Rawalpindi Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Saifullah had been formed to investigate the case. The mobile phones of the victim and three of her family members had been taken into custody for investigation.
In pursuit of justice
To seek justice for Hina Javed and raise awareness against domestic violence, family members and civil society activists have decided to hold a peaceful victim’s vigil outside the Islamabad Press Club.
“We want justice for Hina,” said Sabah. “Every other day, we hear about a woman’s body being found, killed by someone close to her. It is time we raise our collective voice loudly enough to end this cycle once and for all.”
The family has also objected to an incorrect picture that is being ‘irresponsbly’ floated around on social media – not of Hina Javed, but of her niece, who is alive and well. “We would appreciate if pictures were shared responsibly by the media,” said a source.
Voicepk attempted to contact the accused party’s family to obtain their stance regarding the allegations; however, no response was received prior to the filing of this story.