ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday took notice of the absence of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Punjab, during proceedings concerning the targeted killing of Ahmed Javed, son of Adil Rasheed, associated with the Central Group of Colleges, Pakistan, in DHA-9, Lahore.
The committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri at the Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, to deliberate on multiple matters of public importance relating to human rights and law enforcement. The matter had earlier been raised as a Point of Public Importance by Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan during a Senate sitting held on November 13, 2025 and was subsequently referred to the committee for consideration and report.
During deliberations, the chairperson 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 carried serious public concern and demanded impartial legal scrutiny. The committee was informed that throughout the judicial proceedings, neither the trial court directed the inclusion of provisions of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 nor did the complainant’s counsel move any application 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 Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The committee was 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 complaint, which is fixed for hearing on May 14, 2026. The committee was briefed regarding separate criminal proceedings relating to alleged illegal and unauthorized weapons.
The committee was informed that issues concerning illegal weapons, unlawful display of armed persons, validity of arms licences and irregular private security arrangements were already under separate legal proceedings under the Punjab Arms Ordinance, 1965 and other applicable legal frameworks. Officials informed 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 so far in 2026. Additionally, 30 FIRs pertaining to unauthorised display or use of private armed guards had been registered during 2025-26.
Samina 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 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. It was informed that more than 5,000 individuals had initially been accused in the matter, according to a report submitted before the Supreme Court. However, authorities informed the committee that 382 accused 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 and further recommended that the Special Branch report also be submitted, as it may reveal facts relating to alleged police lapses 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 Farrukh Afzal who was abducted from Sector F-6/1, Islamabad, and later found murdered near Mardan.
The committee 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. 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 committee was informed that such crimes remain alarmingly high in several areas of Sindh, and reports identify northern Sindh districts — including Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, and Larkana — as areas where karo-kari remains common.
