The family of murdered Pakistani digital media executive Hina Javed has demanded an independent judicial commission to investigate her killing, rejecting a police inquiry that identified a domestic worker as the sole perpetrator and found insufficient evidence against her husband.
Javed, 45, was discovered dead in the bathroom of her apartment in Rawalpindi’s Lal Kurti neighbourhood on August 20, with evidence of torture.
Her family had accused her husband, Faisal Asghar Imam, father-in-law Asghar Ali Fayyaz, and domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad of involvement in the murder.
Following objections to the initial investigation, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered a fresh inquiry led by Additional Inspector General Sohail Zafar Chattha, director general of the Punjab Crime Control Department.
The investigation concluded that Arshad had acted alone, citing forensic evidence linking him to the killing.
According to investigators, Arshad’s DNA was recovered from 15 items, including samples collected from Javed’s body and objects found inside the apartment.
Imam’s DNA was also detected on parts of a bedroom door lock, but investigators maintained that its presence could have resulted from earlier contact and did not establish his involvement.
Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad on Saturday, Javed’s brother, Fahad Javed, rejected the findings and called for an independent judicial inquiry.
“We reject these findings. We demand the immediate formation of a judicial commission and justice for my sister,” he said.
He also demanded access to the forensic evidence collected during the investigation.
“The complete fingerprint, mobile phone, laptop and forensic reports must be shared with us,” he said. “Faisal’s DNA was found at four locations. His name must be included in the charge sheet.”
Questioning the decision to clear Imam of involvement, Fahad asked:
“How can someone whose DNA was found at the crime scene be declared innocent?”
He further demanded that Imam’s father be investigated, arguing that police had not sufficiently examined his account of the events surrounding Javed’s death.
Fahad accused investigators of giving preferential treatment to Imam while focusing their attention on Arshad from the beginning.
“From the very first day, the investigation team, the police and the special committee have treated Faisal Asghar as a guest rather than a suspect,” he alleged.
“From day one, it seemed their aim was to put the entire blame on Zeeshan and let Faisal walk free.”
Responding to questions about the investigation, Chattha told Arab News on Friday that forensic findings indicated Arshad had murdered Javed and sexually assaulted her body after her death.
He maintained that investigators had uncovered no incriminating evidence against Imam.
According to Chattha, Imam was suffering from brain cancer, and his physical condition made it difficult for him to have carried out the killing.
The senior police official also cited mobile phone records, the absence of evidence of a previous dispute between the couple and investigative findings indicating that Imam was not present in the apartment when the murder occurred.
“Based on the evidence before us, I believe the husband is also a victim in this case,” Chattha said.
Despite the investigation’s findings, both Imam and Arshad remain in Adiala jail on judicial remand.
The victim’s family continues to challenge the police conclusions and is seeking a judicial commission to independently examine the evidence and circumstances surrounding Javed’s death.