The family of Hina Javed, a digital media executive found dead at her residence in Rawalpindi, has urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to establish a judicial commission to investigate the case, expressing a lack of confidence in the findings of a police investigation committee.
In a letter to the chief minister, the family called for an impartial and transparent investigation, raising concerns over the handling of forensic evidence and the alleged deletion of important messages from Hina’s mobile phone.
Hina, 45, was found dead in the bathroom of her residence in Rawalpindi’s Lal Kurti area on August 21. A murder case was registered at Civil Lines police station following a complaint by her brother, who alleged that she had been subjected to violence before her death.
According to the post-mortem report, Hina had sustained a fracture in her neck bone, injuries to her ribs and hip, and blood had accumulated around her heart.
Police later arrested her husband, Faisal Asghar, and domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad in connection with the case. Her father-in-law was also named during the investigation.
In their letter, Hina’s family said it rejected the police committee’s findings and had lost confidence in the investigative process. The family said repeated attempts to contact Maryam Nawaz directly had been unsuccessful, prompting it to approach other forums and government representatives.
The family raised questions about the handling of forensic evidence, claiming that DNA belonging to Faisal and his father had been found on Hina’s neck. It also pointed out that her father-in-law had initially reported a theft at the house.
The letter further stated that forensic reports concerning the mobile phones of Hina and the suspects were still awaited. The family alleged that significant messages had been deleted from Hina’s phone and questioned why suspicion had shifted towards the domestic worker before forensic and fingerprint findings were available.
While acknowledging the alleged involvement of the domestic worker in the murder, the family maintained that evidence concerning Faisal was not receiving adequate attention. It also argued that the police committee should not determine anyone’s guilt or innocence before a court reaches a verdict, describing the arrangement as a potential conflict of interest.\
The family urged the chief minister to review the case file and establish a judicial commission to ensure an independent investigation. It also called for all suspects to be treated in accordance with the law.
Maryam Nawaz, meanwhile, said the investigation was still ongoing and assured the family that every effort would be made to ensure justice. She also said she would meet the family personally.
