Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, in its meeting held on Wednesday at Parliament House, expressed strong dissatisfaction over administrative negligence, incomplete investigations, and procedural delays across multiple high-profile cases involving loss of life, domestic abuse, child marriage, and targeted harassment. The committee was chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, attended by Senators Khalil Tahir, Poonjo Bheel, Quratul Ain Marri, Syed Masroor Ehsanand Hafiz Abdul karim.
Taking up the agenda regarding the tragedy involving the death of 14 newborn infants at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the Committee completely rejected the inquiry report submitted by the Add. Secretary M/o Health. The Chair questioned the omission of senior management from accountability, observing that lower-tier staff and third-party security vendors were being scapegoated while top officials, including the Executive Director, were spared. Calling out severe administrative flaws-including locked entry doors during critical hours-the Committee directed that an FIR be launched against the primary culprits with their complete names and designations submitted, alongside full forensic and DNA reports, before the next meeting.
Addressing the murder of Hina Zareef at Nilor Police Station, the Committee instructed the SP concerned to present comprehensive forensic reports and examine all angles, including potential domestic violence, while directing that necessary legal actions be finalized by the next sitting. On the targeted cyber-harassment campaign against Ahmed Javed, the Committee expressed grave concern over how easily accused individuals secure bail, directing relevant authorities to actively pursue the cancellation of bails for all primary accused within seven days and submit a compliance report. Furthermore, while examining the Mir Raza Ali Khan murder case in Karachi, IG Sindh briefed the panel that the SHO and SP were suspended for negligence and clarified social media misunderstandings regarding the second post-mortem; the Committee subsequently deferred the matter for a dedicated follow-up meeting in Karachi.
In the case of Shukria Bibi in New Kuchlak, Quetta, SSP Investigation Balochistan briefed the Committee that the victim was identified as an Afghan refugee aged 18 to 19 years old, and the accused-a habitual offender who previously killed his ex-wife-is currently in police custody. The Committee directed Balochistan authorities to submit the final investigation report on a priority basis. Additionally, the Committee deferred the agenda on the reports of sexual assault and murder of an 18-month-old child in Qayyumabad, Karachi, as well as a related matter of the murder case of Mir Raza Ali Khan, directing the respective police officials to submit detailed investigation reports on progress, forensic findings, and protection measures provided to victimized families before the Committee's next session.
The committee had brief on the ongoing case examining the progress of FIR No. 190/2026 registered at Police Station Model Town, Lahore, regarding the sexual assault, illegal abortion, and subsequent murder of domestic worker Ayesha Javed, by senior police representative.
Committee was told that Initial arrests of Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Umme Kulsoom, and Ahsan Ali Naqvi were made immediately following the FIR on April 28, 2026, while co-accused Muhammad Hassan was arrested on May 14, 2026, and subjected to a potency test before being remanded to judicial custody. Following the victim's death during treatment at Services Hospital on May 26, 2026, Section 302 PPC was formally added to expand the homicide investigation.
Regarding the present legal and investigative status, the primary accused-Syed Ali Zulqarnain, Umme Kulsoom, Ahsan Ali Naqvi, and Aun Naqvi-were granted pre-arrest bail on June 29, 2026, after the deceased victim's parents submitted affidavits expressing no objection. However, police authorities clarified that judicial bail confirmation does not determine the merits of the prosecution's case. Mobile phones belonging to the accused, along with medical parcels, have been submitted to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) for forensic matching.
Additionally, a separate inquiry into the illegal abortion performed at Sohail Surgical, Raiwind, has been formally referred to the Punjab Healthcare Commission. Present findings confirm no official police negligence, and final charges will be determined upon comprehensive appraisal of digital, medical, and forensic evidence. Committee after detailed briefing asked the further investigation report to be submitted in next meeting.
The committee was briefed and attended by secretary M/o Human Rights, Add Secretary M/0 Health along with PIMS current ED and team, IG Sindh police, AIG Punjab Police along with senior officials, SP Investigation Islamabad and SSP Balochistan Police.