
Senate condemns Balochistan honour killing
The resolution, moved by Senator Sherry Rehman on her own behalf and on behalf of Senators Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Jan Muhammad, Mohsin Aziz, Haji Hidayatullah Khan, Kamil Ali Agha, Raja Nasir Abbas, Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui, Quratulain Marri, and Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, was adopted by the House during its sitting on July 24.
The resolution condemned the heinous and premeditated act as an abhorrent crime and a gross violation of human rights, the Constitution, and the laws of Pakistan. It declared that such barbaric killings must not be justified under cultural or tribal practices and emphasized that the concept of "honour" cannot override constitutional protections.
It highlighted that despite existing legal safeguards, the implementation on the ground remains weak, leading to subversion of justice, particularly in cases targeting women.
The house resolved that such so-called honour killings constitute murder and must be prosecuted under the relevant laws without compromise. It called upon the government to ensure immediate and transparent investigation into the recent killings and bring all those involvedincluding those who convened or sanctioned any jirgato justice without delay.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
NA passes resolutions against honour killings, digital harassment
Listen to article The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed resolutions against honour killings and digital harassment, calling for targeted public awareness campaigns and the introduction of educational modules on digital ethics, privacy rights, and anti-harassment laws in institutions. The resolution against honour killings, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) Shahida Rehmani during a National Assembly session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, strongly condemned so-called honour killings and called for zero tolerance toward such crimes, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. It also proposed the formation of an interprovincial task force to ensure coordinated efforts to eradicate honour-based violence. The lower house adopted several other resolutions, including one calling for stronger legal frameworks against unauthorised video recording, cyber harassment, and digital defamation. The House adopted a resolution moved by the Secretary Women's Parliamentary Caucus Dr. Shahida Rehmani, condemning the Honor killings across Pakistan.#NASession @ShahidaRehmani — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 6, 2025 Moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, the resolution urged the federal government to strengthen law enforcement capacity and initiate public awareness campaigns on digital rights and safe reporting mechanisms. It also recommended the inclusion of educational modules on privacy, digital ethics, and anti-harassment laws in educational institutions and the establishment of dedicated complaint desks at police stations. The house also passed a resolution reaffirming Pakistan's historic and unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice. The House, during the National Assembly session, unanimously adopted the resolution reaffirming Pakistan's historic and unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity, and Justice. The resolution was moved by Member National… — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 6, 2025 The resolution, tabled by PPP MNA Shazia Marri, expressed deep concern over the intensifying Israeli military aggression in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread civilian casualties and destruction of homes and infrastructure. It condemned the statements and actions of Israeli authorities suggesting a long-term occupation of Gaza, forced displacement of Palestinians, and systematic attempts to erase the territory's Palestinian identity. The resolution further denounced the use of starvation, siege tactics, and collective punishment, terming them war crimes under international law. The House called on the United Nations and the broader international community to fulfil their legal and moral obligations by taking immediate steps to end the aggression, ensure civilian protection, and facilitate unrestricted humanitarian access. It also called for accountability of the occupying power for war crimes and reaffirmed support for the Palestinian right to self-determination. Also Read: Pakistan, Turkiye conclude first bilateral amphibious naval drill The resolution urged the government to continue raising the issue on global platforms, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill, 2025 — already passed by the Senate — for consideration. However, an amendment moved by MNA Aliya Kamran referring the bill to the relevant committee was adopted. During the Question Hour, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Syed Hussain Tariq, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, raised concern over K-Electric's request for a waiver of Rs76 billion in unpaid dues and the practice of disconnecting entire feeders over non-payment by a few consumers. MNA Mir Munawar Ali Talpur also questioned the rationale behind collective punishment of entire neighbourhoods due to defaults by a few. Minister of State for Energy Abdur Rehman Khan Kanju and Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Sajid Mehdi responded to the queries. Speaker Sadiq took notice of the concerns and directed the minister to hold a special meeting with the concerned MNAs to find a viable solution.


Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PTI's parliamentary core falls to ECP's guillotine
Listen to article The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday delivered a major blow to PTI's parliamentary muscle, disqualifying several of the party's top opposition leaders on the day it marked the second anniversary of Imran Khan's arrest with countrywide protests. The axe fell hard, sweeping away the party's parliamentary leadership in both houses, following a recent ruling by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad. The court handed down prison sentences of up to 10 years to over 100 PTI leaders and workers, including key opposition figures, for their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, triggered by Khan's dramatic arrest in 2023. Those de-notified include Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan, Sunni Ittehad Council chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and PTI Parliamentary Leader Zartaj Gul. Three members of the Punjab Assembly – Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal Sahi, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal – have also been disqualified. Acting on the convictions, the ECP issued a formal notification disqualifying nine lawmakers under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which bars any person convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced to two or more years in prison from holding elected office. "A person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) if he has been, on conviction for any offence involving moral turpitude, sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years, unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release," reads Article 63(1)(h). The ECP stated the lawmakers, having been convicted and sentenced, now "stand disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution," adding that, "Consequently, their seats have become vacant". All nine had been found guilty by the ATC for their alleged roles in the May 9 unrest, when PTI supporters, incensed by Khan's arrest outside the Islamabad High Court, stormed and vandalised military installations, including martyrs' memorials. The PTI had earlier declared that any attempt to arrest Khan would cross its "red line". In the aftermath, the military declared May 9 as a "Black Day", calling it a "dark chapter" in national history. However, the PTI has consistently claimed the events were a "false-flag operation" orchestrated by the establishment to frame the party and crush dissent. The ECP's move landed just as PTI was reigniting street agitation to mark the anniversary of Khan's arrest. With the latest disqualifications, the PML-N-led ruling alliance now sits virtually unchallenged in parliament, deepening the political vacuum and tightening the noose around what remains of the opposition. Reacting to ECP's decision, Ayub stated on X that he was grateful for the opportunity to serve as the leader of the opposition in NA. Expressing that his leader, Imran Khan and his colleagues had nominated him, he said that he has been de-seated as MNA NA18 Haripur and opposition leader "due to a bogus verdict by the ATC Faisalabad Judge Sheikh Javed Iqbal, who has wrongly convicted me for 10 years". Ayub further stated that the court "relied on the evidence of prosecution witnesses who were rejected by the ATC Sargodha Judge last year, and we were acquitted". He said the verdict proves "there is no rule of law in Pakistan". "This hybrid regime and its backers were perturbed by my stand as Leader of the Opposition for stating the truth and holding them accountable," he asserted. He vowed to challenge both the ATC verdict and the ECP disqualification in court, expressing hope that Chief Justice Yahya Afridi would take note of what he called the "deplorable state of affairs in Pakistan's judiciary." Ayub ended on a defiant note, saying, "I was, I am, and I will be a worker of PM Imran Khan and PTI".


Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Achakzai accuses ‘establishment' of undermining civilian governance
ISLAMABAD: In a scathing critique of the country's power dynamics, Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Tuesday accused the establishment of undermining civilian governance, asserting that the Constitution had been effectively 'shredded,' with unelected officials operating as the nation's real rulers. Achakzai, leader of both the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan – an alliance of opposition parties – and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), condemned the government's silence on what he described as a systematic dismantling of democratic institutions. Taking a pointed dig at National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Achakzai charged him with inaction as parliamentarians were 'dragged' out of the House. 'Speaker, members were dragged in your presence,' he thundered. 'So far, no one – including you – has taken any action.' He sharply criticised the military and bureaucracy, accusing them of enabling even junior officers – such as colonels and prison superintendents – to control access to political detainees, notably ex-prime minister Imran Khan, whom he termed the country's 'biggest leader.' 'How shameful and disgusting is the treatment meted out to him,' Achakzai lamented, expressing deep concern over the state of democracy in Pakistan. Achakzai also targeted the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), a key coalition partner of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), expressing disbelief at its apparent complicity. 'The Constitution is being destroyed, and the PPP is supporting it,' he lamented. According to him, court orders are routinely flouted, and lower-level prison officials operate with impunity. 'The Constitution of Pakistan has been shredded,' he lamented. Adopting a populist tone, Achakzai asserted: 'This country does not belong to a few – Pakistan is not anyone's personal estate. Those who think so live in a fool's paradise.' Clarifying that he bore no personal animosity towards the military, Shehbaz Sharif, or Nawaz Sharif, he stressed that 'real rulers' must be those chosen by the people, not state employees. Returning to Speaker Sadiq, he criticised him over the alleged disqualification and mistreatment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers in connection with the May 9, 2023 events. 'You should have taken a stand,' Achakzai said. 'Why were your members mistreated.' He also lamented the government's silence on international matters, especially its failure to pass a resolution condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, 'Netanyahu should be taken to the International Court of Justice.' Despite his trenchant criticism, Achakzai concluded with a call for reconciliation. 'Let us all repent and forgive each other. Let us start a new politics where this House makes the decisions,' he urged, advocating a return to civilian supremacy and provincial autonomy. However, he ended with a stark warning: 'The way you marched into Bajaur– this will lead to civil war. And if it does, the Shehbaz Sharif government will be responsible.' Echoing the anti-establishment sentiment from the opposition benches, PTI MP Malik Aamir Dogar condemned the government's crackdown. 'You sentenced our members to ten years each,' he said, referring to punishments handed down to PTI activists. 'Ten members were removed from this House, and you took no action.' On Imran Khan, Dogar added, 'He didn't bow down – that's why he's in jail. Had he submitted, he'd be sitting here today. If this is how things are going to be, then just lock the Assembly.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025