Senators raise alarm over violence against women, low conviction rate

ISLAMABAD: Senators on Friday expressed concern over what they described as a rise in violent crimes against women, with calls for stronger action to improve convictions in such cases.

The discussion began after Balochistan Senator Naseema Ehsan brought up the killing of Rubina Chandio, who was allegedly murdered in the name of ‘honour’ in Sindh’s Tando Masti. Ehsan told the House that Rubina Chandio was killed in Sindh and said she was given neither a funeral nor a shroud. She said the woman was shot before a crowd and that the case came to light after videos were shared on social media.

“Rubina Chandio was killed in Sindh. She was given neither a funeral nor a shroud,”

Ehsan said those responsible for the killing should face the harshest punishment, adding that the culprits involved in the murder should also be hanged publicly.

Police suspect Chandio was killed in a karo-kari case in Khairpur district. The case was discussed in the broader context of so-called ‘honour killings’, which continue despite the 2016 anti-honour killing law that removed the option of pardon by heirs. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan data cited in the proceedings says more than 470 women were killed in the name of ‘honour’ in Pakistan in 2023.

Senate concerns over justice system

Presiding officer and PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman described the situation as deeply troubling and said the country was witnessing a dangerous increase in honour killings, rape and other forms of gender-based violence. She said the rise in such cases could not be allowed to become normalised.

“The surge in these cases is deeply concerning. We cannot allow such brutality to become normalised,”

Rehman said the conviction rate stood at only five per cent and called it an extremely alarming situation. She said sporadic delivery of justice reflected a systemic failure, adding that while laws were in place, implementation with resolve and consistency was lacking.

“When justice is delivered sporadically, it reflects a systemic failure,”

She also rejected the idea that such crimes were confined to remote regions or caused only by poverty and illiteracy. Rehman said these crimes also took place in influential households, arguing that wealth, status and education did not remove patriarchal attitudes and could instead strengthen silence and protection around perpetrators.

She urged that such cases be continuously and rigorously pursued by the Senate Human Rights Committee and said real deterrence would come only when some perpetrators were made unquestionable examples. In her capacity as presiding officer, she referred Chandio’s case to the committee for immediate scrutiny.

Government assures support

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured full institutional support for parliamentary committees dealing with crimes against women. He said the government would extend all necessary assistance whenever a committee sought input from any ministry or department.

“Cooperation between the government and parliamentary committees is important for better governance and timely delivery of justice,”

He added that efforts to strengthen the justice system would continue.

JUI-F raises law and order concerns in KP

Separately, JUI-F Senator Maulana Atta ur Rehman told the House that his party’s members were unsafe in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Referring to the killing of Maulana Muhammad Idrees, he said the attack appeared targeted and claimed the assailants were so expert that only Idrees was killed while others in the vehicle were injured.

He said heartbreaking incidents were occurring every week in his area and also alleged that the administration had blocked the JUI-F’s protest over the killing. He said the PTI, after ruling the province for 13 years, had lost the right to govern.

“There is no law and order in our province. We are being killed and targeted daily,”

He further accused the provincial government of trying to shift blame to the federal government and questioned the transparency of elections, asking whether lists were prepared in advance. Criticising the centre, he said the federal government was only busy brokering peace for America.