The Senate has expressed outrage over a recent case of vigilante justice in Balochistan, where a man and woman were publicly executed for “honor” under a jirga’s verdict.
Lawmakers have called for an immediate investigation to hold all perpetrators, including those who sanctioned the jirga, accountable. A resolution, moved by PPP leader Senator Sherry Rehman, rejected any cultural or traditional justification for such honor killings, labeling them as murder under the law. While the resolution was supported by all parties, JUI-F refused to sign it.
The Senate emphasized that tribal or informal justice systems cannot override constitutional protections. Despite previous legislative reforms to curb honor crimes, weak enforcement continues to result in justice being subverted, particularly in cases targeting women. The resolution urged strict adherence to Pakistan’s Penal Code and called for a review of enforcement gaps to recommend actionable reforms. Lawmakers further condemned victim-blaming narratives tied to such crimes, underscoring these acts as gross violations of human rights and the Constitution.
The Senate also passed groundbreaking legislation to establish an independent Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission. This new body aims to safeguard whistleblowers from retaliation and incentivize them with a 20% reward for exposing corruption. The Commission, empowered with civil court authority, will evaluate complaints, ensure confidentiality, and impose penalties for false claims. Additionally, individuals facing retaliation can seek binding redressal from the Commission. The initiative addresses the shortcomings of the 2017 law, promising a more robust system headquartered in Islamabad with the potential to expand nationwide.
Meanwhile, eight of 11 newly elected senators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were sworn into office following their victory notifications by the ECP. These included notable figures such as Noorul Haq Qadri, Faisal Javed Khan, and Rubina Khalid.
