A delegation from the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus visited the National Commission on the Status of Women, demanding transparent investigations into the murder case of Hina Javed and strict punishment for those responsible according to the law.

Islamabad (Izhhar Khan Niazi) The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus delegation visited the National Commission on the Status of Women, where Acting Chairperson Noreen Bano Lahri welcomed the delegation and briefed them on the commission’s ongoing initiatives, priorities, the strategic plan for 2026-2029, the National Gender Equality Dashboard, bilingual awareness materials related to women’s rights, and pending appointments within the commission. Secretary of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Dr. Shahida Rahmani praised the commission’s efforts to promote women’s rights and gender equality, stating that it is crucial to effectively implement laws and policies at the grassroots level. The collective focus of the parliamentary caucus should be on ensuring that the benefits of laws, policies, and programs reach marginalized and vulnerable women.

Dr. Shahida Rahmani strongly condemned the recent brutal murder of Hina Javed, an employee of the National Information Technology Board stationed at the National Assembly Secretariat, stating that Hina was mercilessly killed by her husband and a domestic worker at her in-laws’ residence. Any form of violence against women is unacceptable. She stated that the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus will play its role in seeking justice for Hina Javed and ensuring an independent, fair, transparent, and impartial investigation into the incident.

The Secretary of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus mentioned that the National Commission on the Status of Women is also being kept informed about this matter to ensure that all relevant institutional procedures are utilized to guarantee transparency in the investigation and to bring all responsible individuals involved in the murder to justice with strict penalties according to the law.

Members of the delegation also expressed concern over the disproportionate impact of climate change and natural disasters on women and emphasized the need for more effective coordination between the National Commission on the Status of Women and the National Disaster Management Authority. They stated that the specific needs of women should be included in disaster preparedness, relief, recovery, and reconstruction programs to provide timely and effective support to women affected by natural disasters.

The delegation deemed it essential to have accurate, comprehensive, and gender-disaggregated data available for legislation, policy-making, budgeting, and monitoring related to women. Members stated that effective legislation and practical measures to address women’s issues can only be made based on reliable data.

The delegation emphasized the need to pay special attention to rural women, advocating for targeted measures to provide them with access to education, health, justice, economic opportunities, and information about their legal rights. Members suggested that awareness about women’s rights and gender equality should be included in the primary school curriculum, and that women should be effectively informed of their legal rights and protections through marriage contracts at the time of marriage.

Acting Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women Noreen Bano Lahri appreciated the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus for its engagement and cooperation with the institution, stating that institutional coordination, reliable gender data, accountability, and effective implementation of laws are of fundamental importance for the protection of women’s rights and the promotion of gender equality.

Members of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus praised the efforts of the National Commission, expressing their commitment to giving practical shape to legislation related to women through awareness, reliable data, institutional coordination, and effective implementation to bring real and meaningful improvements in the lives of women and girls.

The delegation included Members of the National Assembly Sophia Saeed Shah, Huma Akhtar Chughtai, Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Naeema Kashoor Khan, Tamkeen Akhtar Niazi, Mah Jabeen Abbasi, Neelam, Asia Naz Tanoli, and Akhtar Bibi.