The Women Democratic Front (WDF) has declared a nationwide “femicide emergency” in response to the murder of 45-year-old digital media professional Hina Javed in Rawalpindi. The group is urging the government to take stronger measures against violence targeting women.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Islamabad’s National Press Club, where Hina’s cousin and family spokesperson, Sabah Bano Malik, also demanded justice for the slain woman. Following the conference, a vigil was held in Hina’s memory.
The Punjab government has classified the case as high-profile and established a special committee of senior prosecutors to oversee the investigation and prosecution. Hina was discovered dead in the bathroom of her apartment in Rawalpindi’s Lal Kurti area on August 20. Police reported that her hands were tied and a wire was wrapped around her neck, with multiple injuries evident on her body.
Currently, Hina’s husband, Faisal Asghar Imam, and their domestic worker, Zeeshan, remain in police custody, with their physical remand extended for further questioning. Meanwhile, Hina’s father-in-law, named in the FIR, was questioned but has not been arrested.
At the vigil, Sabah challenged the narrative questioning why Hina, described as a motivated and accomplished professional, chose to marry, calling such scrutiny unfair. She emphasized that everyone deserves happiness and that marriage should not be considered extraordinary in their society. Sabah also criticized the tendency to blame women for the violence they endure, urging media and the public to stop implying that victims share responsibility for the harm inflicted upon them.
She highlighted a societal contradiction where families restrict women’s freedom citing safety concerns, yet when women report abuse, they are often doubted or accused of lying.
Meanwhile, the WDF demanded a thorough forensic investigation into all individuals allegedly involved in Hina’s murder and any attempts to conceal it.
During the press event, Sabah portrayed Hina as an independent woman devoted to caring for her parents, noting that Hina’s mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, still awaits her daughter’s return. She also pointed out inconsistencies in the domestic worker’s statements and expressed concern that Hina’s father-in-law remains free despite being implicated.
“All those involved in her murder and its cover-up must be held accountable,” Sabah declared.
WDF Federal Education Secretary Zoya Rehman stressed that domestic violence continues to be treated as a private issue despite the severe risks women face. She announced the declaration of a femicide emergency and called for a nationally coordinated response supported by public funding. “Prevention must start with openly acknowledging violence,” she said.
The organization outlined demands including federal and provincial action plans with clear deadlines and public accountability, mandatory police protocols treating domestic violence as a life-threatening issue, easier access to protection orders, publicly funded shelters and safe housing, as well as legal and financial aid for survivors. They also called for a national femicide register detailing prior complaints, victim-perpetrator relationships, and case outcomes.
WDF cited recent tragic cases such as the killing of Shamsu Bibi (also known as Ayesha Gilamana) in Taxila, allegedly orchestrated by her father and brother; the murder of Hina Zareef, reportedly by her father and former husband after she secured khula; and the survival of Jannat Khatoon, who was allegedly set on fire by her brothers-in-law.
WDF Islamabad-Rawalpindi General Secretary Anam Rathor emphasized the need for the state to move beyond mere condolences. “A country witnessing hundreds of murders in six months cannot continue responding with sympathy alone,” she said. “These killings stem from the authority men are granted within families.”
Sahil’s Six Months Cruel Numbers Report, media monitoring recorded 3,172 incidents of gender-based violence in Pakistan during the first half of 2026, including 644 murders and 132 so-called honour killings. More than half of these cases occurred within victims’ homes, with the report covering only incidents reported in newspapers.
