RAWALPINDI: The family of Hina Javed has urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to establish an independent judicial commission to investigate her killing, rejecting the findings of a police investigation committee and expressing concerns over the handling of evidence.
In an open letter addressed to the chief minister, the family called for a detailed review of the case file and asked the provincial government to ensure that all evidence, particularly material relating to suspect Faisal Asghar, was examined without bias.
The family said it had made several attempts to contact Maryam Nawaz directly but had been unsuccessful. It added that concerns about the police investigation committee had also been conveyed through various forums and government representatives.
Family Questions Handling of Evidence
According to the letter, the family remains dissatisfied with the investigation committee’s approach and believes that important aspects of the case have not received adequate attention.
The family alleged that DNA belonging to Faisal and his father was found on Hina’s neck. It also claimed that Hina’s father-in-law had initially reported a theft at the house.
The letter further stated that 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 investigators had shifted their focus towards a domestic worker before the forensic and fingerprint findings were available.
The family acknowledged that the domestic worker was allegedly involved in the killing but maintained that evidence relating to Faisal Asghar was being overlooked. These assertions were presented as the family’s claims and were not independently verified.
Calls for Independent Investigation
The family argued that the police investigation committee should not determine anyone’s guilt or innocence before the case is adjudicated by a court. It maintained that the responsibility for deciding criminal liability rests with the judiciary.
In the letter, the family also raised concerns about what it described as a conflict of interest in the investigation process, saying it no longer expected justice through the committee’s existing approach.
It called on Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the alleged neglect of evidence concerning Faisal Asghar and to review the case file before the matter proceeds further through the legal process.
Appeal to Maryam Nawaz
The family referred to the chief minister’s public stance against violence and abuse targeting women, recalling her description of such violence as a red line.
It urged her to intervene in her capacity as Punjab’s chief minister and as a woman to help ensure justice for Hina and her family.
The letter called for the immediate formation of a judicial commission to conduct an impartial investigation, urging authorities not to protect any suspect and to ensure that the family receives justice in accordance with the law.
The allegations and objections outlined in the letter reflect the family’s position. Questions of criminal responsibility remain subject to investigation and determination by the competent court.
