September 16, 2026
By Hashir Ahsan
ISLAMABAD
The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights convened a meeting under the chairpersonship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, wherein severe human rights violations—including the PIMS tragedy, an attempted child abduction, prominent murder cases of Hina Zarif, Ahmad Javed, Mir Raza Ali, and Shukriya Bibi — were reviewed in detail.
The committee expressed indignation over the tragedy at PIMS Hospital. The Additional Secretary Health informed the committee that a meeting had been held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister; however, complete information was currently unavailable. He said that an action plan against those responsible was in place. Senator Masroor, while demanding the daily log (roznamcha) report for the day of the incident and the record from 12 midnight to the following 12 midnight, stated that he went to PIMS and Polyclinic twice for assistance, but the authorities merely excused themselves and brushed the matter off.
The Chairperson of the committee expressed severe concern over the removal of the name of the Executive Director (ED) PIMS from the list and the inclusion of new names, remarking that an effort is being made to save ED PIMS. She added that while the Prime Minister might be satisfied with the report, she is not. The Additional Secretary Health suggested summoning committee members to inquire why the ED’s name was omitted from the list.
The new ED PIMS also appeared before the committee. The Committee Chairperson questioned him regarding what was accomplished in 15 days, why the emergency exit doors and locks were secured, and why firefighters had to enter through the roof. Committee member Quratulain Marri remarked that the belt force security and those who awarded the contracts should have been in jail. She criticized that while the Prime Minister immediately removed the Secretary Health, those operating the hospital are remaining untouched.
Chairperson expressed severe anger over the non-registration of an FIR despite previous directions from the committee.
The Committee Chairperson directed SP Islamabad Police Zeeshan to immediately go, register an FIR regarding the PIMS tragedy, and return.
“If my house catches fire, will I lodge an FIR against an AC?,” she qestioned. “They were someone’s children and perhaps the last hope of their parents.”
Senator Masroor said that an FIR is essential to set the law into motion and suggested that the police might be under pressure from the high command.
Upon his return, SP Zeeshan informed that the daily log had been submitted and the FIR would arrive in 10 minutes, whereas the police stance was that investigations were being conducted under Section 174 CrPC and it would be recorded as an accidental incident. At this, the Chairperson became severely angered and stated that this was not accidental, adding that if the FIR were to be lodged based on recommendations, then the Army would have to intervene so that something could be done. Despite the committee’s order, the FIR for the PIMS tragedy could not be registered by the conclusion of the meeting.
Child abduction attempt at PIMS
During the meeting, an attempted child abduction late at night at PIMS Hospital came to light. Upon questioning by the Chairperson, PIMS authorities confirmed that the attempted child abduction incident was true. At this, the committee expressed severe concern and voiced outrage over the poor conditions at the hospital.
Shukriya Bibi Murder Case (Balochistan)
SSP Investigation Crime Branch briefed the committee regarding the murder of Shukriya Bibi who was between 16 and 17 years of age. He informed that the deceased was the suspect’s second wife, and her husband, who was almost 50 years old, became enraged merely because she looked outside the door, subjected her to violence with an iron rod and killed her. The police have arrested the suspect along with the murder weapon. Taking strict notice of the incident, the Senate Committee summoned a detailed report from Balochistan authorities.
Hina Zarif murder case
Briefing on the Hina Zarif murder case, SP Zeeshan stated that upon reaching Lahore, the deceased was residing in a shelter home, from where her father and husband brought her back, murdered her, and left the body at Polyclinic. The victim was shot six times, and her father, husband, brother, and cousin have been nominated in the case, with the brother having fired the shots. According to the police, the husband had earlier lodged an FIR for abduction, alleging that the victim was honey-trapped.
On this, Committee Chairperson raised an objection, saying that it was honey traps, not girls, that men fell in, and that it was not necessary that a girl leaving home had run away with someone. She also criticized labeling the case as an honour killing. The Additional IG Punjab clarified in the committee that they were not defending anyone, adding that honour killing was actually “dishonourable killing.” The Chairperson expressed outrage at the conduct of the Punjab Police and prosecution, stating that they merely deliver speeches and waste time.
Ahmad Javed murder case (Lahore)
Taking notice of the Ahmad Javed murder case, the committee issued strict directives to the Prosecutor Punjab. The Standing Committee ordered the immediate cancellation of the bails of all involved suspects who are currently out on bail.
Ayesha rape and murder case (Lahore)
The committee was briefed on the progress of the case regarding the sexual assault, illegal abortion, and subsequent murder of domestic worker Ayesha Javed in FIR No. 190/2026 registered at Model Town Police Station, Lahore.
The committee was informed that immediately after the FIR on April 28, 2026, initial arrests of Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Um-e-Kulsoom, and Ahsan Ali Naqvi were made, while co-accused Muhammad Hasan was arrested on May 14, 2026, and sent on judicial remand after a potency test. Following the death of the victim during treatment at Services Hospital on May 26, 2026, Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code was formally added to expand the murder investigation.
Regarding the current legal and investigative situation, the primary accused—Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Um-e-Kulsoom, Ahsan Ali Naqvi, and Aon Naqvi—were granted pre-arrest bail on June 29, 2026, when the deceased’s parents submitted affidavits of no objection. However, police officials clarified that the confirmation of court bail does not affect the foundation of the prosecution case. The mobile phones of the accused and medical parcels have been sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) for forensic matching.
Mir Raza Ali murder case
Sindh Police authorities briefed the committee on the Mir Raza Ali murder case, stating that the SHO and DSP were suspended for failing to properly investigate the initial crime scene. They informed that 78 statements were recorded, CCTV footage and CDR were reviewed, and following two differing post-mortem reports, a judicial commission was proposed, which the parents rejected while reposing confidence in the current team.
According to authorities, the deceased was involved in crypto trading and had a deficit of $139 in his account. The laboratory report showed a mismatch between the pistol and the bullet (MT), while GSR was found on both hands and evidence of anesthesia was uncovered. A letter has been written to Apple regarding iCloud data. An interim charge sheet (chalan) was submitted in the case on September 7, and the case currently remains untraced. The Committee Chairperson posed questions to IG Sindh regarding traces of hydrochloric acid on the shirt and the fact that MLO Dr. Samia’s statement has not been recorded yet.