In Pakistan, Hina Javed’s family seeks intervention in investigation into her death
In Pakistan, the family of 45-year-old digital media manager Hina Javed has asked the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) to intervene in the investigation into her death in Rawalpindi. According to Dawn, the deceased woman’s brother, Fahad, stated in a September 10 letter that the investigation is being conducted impartially and that the family has evidence of possible interference with case materials.
Javed was found dead in her residence in Rawalpindi last month. Police reported signs of torture. Javed’s husband and a domestic worker were detained after the woman’s family accused them of murder; both were later sent to jail in judicial custody. The deceased woman’s father-in-law was also questioned as part of the investigation.
Family’s statements
In the letter, Fahad stated that during a meeting with law enforcement officers on September 4, the family discussed shortcomings in the investigation and its deviations from the initial crime report. According to him, there are attempts to shift responsibility for his sister’s death from her husband, who is described in the letter as the main suspect, to the domestic worker.
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The family claims it has voice messages from Javed’s husband’s brother which, in its view, indicate his collusion with police. The letter also states that this relative allegedly cleaned the suspect’s room and the murder weapon after the crime, and interfered with evidence, call logs and correspondence. According to the family, he said that he had contacted the forensic team.
Requests to the commission
The family asked the NCHR to obtain the case materials, investigation diaries and the investigator’s report, and to help ensure a fair, impartial and transparent investigation free from the influence of the suspects’ family. Javed’s relatives also ask that the commission recommend that the Punjab inspector general of police conduct an investigation by a joint investigation team.
The letter emphasizes that investigators should not contact the suspects’ family and that suspects should not be given special conditions in prison. The family also urged the commission to review the actions of the forensic team in connection with its claims regarding Javed’s husband’s brother.
