Senate Committee raises alarm over honour killings and illegal jirgas

Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights convened under the chairpersonship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri to scrutinize pressing human rights concerns, including honour killings, illegal jirgas, gender based violence (GBV), the targeted killing of Ahmed Javed in Lahore, and the 2023 Jaranwala incident affecting the Christian community.

The Committee received provincial briefings on honour killings over the past five years, with alarming reports on persistently low conviction rates, particularly in Balochistan and Sindh. Senator Zehri stressed that the continued use of the term “honour killing” masks the severity of the crime and undermines the rule of law. Delayed FIR registration, witness hostility, and legal loopholes, including the misuse of compounding crime clauses, were flagged as major obstacles to effective prosecution in GBV cases.

Members condemned the ongoing role of jirgas and panchayats adjudicating criminal matters, particularly in Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling for strict enforcement of constitutional provisions and legal frameworks. Suggestions to formalize jirgas as alternative dispute resolution were categorically rejected by the Committee, reiterating that unconstitutional forums cannot be legitimized under any framework.

The Committee also raised concerns about the influence of social media on GBV cases, highlighting online misogyny, misinformation, and attempts to sway judicial proceedings. Chairperson Zehri directed authorities to propose practical mechanisms to manage harmful content and urged mainstream media to report responsibly, particularly on cases involving children and vulnerable communities.

Regarding the targeted killing of Ahmed Javed in Lahore, members questioned the grant of bail to the accused, non inclusion of the accused in the Exit Control List (ECL), and the alleged character assassination of the victim during public discourse and legal proceedings.

The 2023 Jaranwala incident, which involved attacks on churches and Christian homes, was also scrutinized. The Committee expressed concern over delays in arrests, compensation, and rehabilitation. Reports indicated that some members of the Christian community had been wrongly nominated in criminal cases, raising fears of undue pressure on victims. The National Commission for Human Rights chairperson called the incident a national tragedy and emphasized the need for timely justice.

The Committee resolved to treat the Jaranwala case as a test case for accountability and minority rights protection. It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fair compensation, transparent investigations, and prosecution of all responsible individuals, emphasizing unwavering support for vulnerable communities across Pakistan.