The family of Hina Javed, who was allegedly murdered in Rawalpindi, has urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to establish a judicial commission, rejecting the findings of the police investigation committee. In a letter to the Punjab chief minister, the family called for an impartial investigation into the case, with CM Nawaz stating that the investigation had not yet been completed and pledging to ensure justice.
Hina, 45, was found dead in the bathroom of her residence in Rawalpindi's Lal Kurti area on August 21. Her murder case was registered at the Civil Lines police station on the complaint of her brother, who alleged that she had been subjected to violence before her death.
The post-mortem report revealed a fracture in her neck bone, injuries to her ribs and hip, and blood around the heart. Police later arrested her husband, Faisal Asghar, and domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad in connection with the case, while Hina's father-in-law was also named in the investigation.
However, Zeeshan's family later accused the police of attempting to make their son the prime suspect. In their letter, Hina's family stated they did not accept the police investigation committee's findings and had lost confidence in its methodology, adding that they had made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the chief minister directly.
The family also conveyed their concerns about the committee through various forums and government representatives. The family raised questions about the handling of forensic evidence, claiming that DNA belonging to Faisal and his father had been found on Hina's neck.
The letter further stated that Hina's father-in-law had initially reported a theft at the house, and forensic reports concerning the mobile phones of Hina and the suspects were still pending. The family alleged that important messages had been deleted from Hina's phone and questioned why the investigation had turned towards the domestic worker before forensic reports and fingerprint results were available.
While acknowledging the domestic employee's involvement, the family alleged that evidence concerning Faisal was being overlooked. They argued that the police committee should not declare anyone guilty or innocent before the case reached court, describing the current arrangement as a potential conflict of interest.
The family also called for the suspects not to receive protection and for justice to be delivered in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, CM Maryam said the investigation into Hina's murder was still underway and had not been completed.
She assured the family that no effort would be spared to ensure justice and said she would personally meet the bereaved family. The case continues to draw public attention as the family awaits a more transparent inquiry process.
The legal community in Rawalpindi has also expressed interest in the outcome, emphasizing the need for a thorough forensic analysis to resolve the discrepancies in the initial police reports.