Mirpurkhas: The family of medical student Fahmeeda Laghari on Wednesday announced a protest sit-in over the continued delay in the forensic examination of her mobile phone, alleging attempts to suppress the investigation into her alleged harassment and subsequent suicide.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Mirpurkhas Press Club, Fahmeeda's father Intizar Hussain, mother Abida Parveen, sister Mehak Fatima and maternal uncle Dr Waseem expressed concern that nearly three months and 24 days after the incident, the forensic report of the victim's mobile phone had still not been completed.

The family said they had met SSP Mirpurkhas Syed Fida Hussain Shah, who informed them that the mobile phone, sent to Lahore for forensic examination, could not yet be unlocked, delaying completion of the report.

Dr Waseem said the investigating officer, SSP Suhai Aziz Talpur, had also informed them that the alleged fake social media account used to blackmail Fahmeeda had not yet been accessed.

The family alleged that the university administration was attempting to influence the investigation and suppress the case. They said assurances had been given that the matter would be investigated transparently and professionally, but justice had yet to be delivered. They further said they had submitted a written application to Sindh Chief Minister's Adviser Veerji Kolhi, seeking justice.

The family warned that if justice was not provided at the earliest, they would stage a large-scale protest sit-in. They also appealed to political parties, civil society and human rights organisations to support their demand for a transparent investigation.