ISLAMABAD:
Senators on Friday expressed deep concern over the rising incidence of violent crimes against women, demanding stricter enforcement and better sentencing after the brutal murder of a woman in Sindh, allegedly in the name of “honour”, sparked outrage in the upper house.
The debate was sparked by the murder of Rubina Chandio in Sindh’s Tando Masti, when lawmakers condemned a persistent culture of impunity around gender-based violence.
Chairing the session, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said the conviction rate in such cases was only five per cent, adding that it was an alarming reflection of a systemic failure.
The issue was raised by Balochistan Senator Naseema Ehsan, who drew attention to the circumstances surrounding Chandio’s murder.
“Rubina Chandio was murdered in Sindh. She received neither a funeral nor a shroud,” Ehsan told the Senate, adding that the woman was shot in front of a crowd and the case came to light after videos of the incident circulated on social media.
“Those guilty of this brutal murder should also be publicly hanged,” he said.
Calling the situation “deeply distressing and unacceptable”, Rehman said Pakistan was witnessing a “dangerous rise in honor killings, rape and other forms of gender-based violence”.
“The increase in these cases is deeply worrying. We cannot allow such brutality to become normalized,” he said.
He said the reported five per cent conviction rate was “an extremely alarming situation”.
“When justice is delivered sporadically, it reflects a systemic failure,” he said, adding that while the legislative framework exists, “what is missing is implementation with determination and coherence.”
Rehman also rejected the assumption that such crimes were limited to impoverished or remote communities.
“These crimes also occur within influential households. Wealth, status and education do not erase patriarchal thinking; they often provide stronger networks of silence and protection,” he said.
Urging sustained institutional oversight, he said such cases must be “taken up on an ongoing and rigorous basis by the Senate Human Rights Committee.”
“True deterrence will only come when a few perpetrators are unquestionable examples,” he added.
Acting in her capacity as chairperson, Rehman referred Rubina Chandio’s case to the Senate Human Rights Committee for immediate review.
Responding to the debate, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured lawmakers of the government’s support in the quest for accountability.
