UPDATE (Pakistan): Three of the nine perpetrators were arrested but the police officer pressured politically 

Dear friends

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information on the case of the two teenage girls killed in the instance of “honour killings” (FA-12-2004). Apparently, after an urgent appeal was issued, and the local police station notified, the police assigned two policemen to provide security to the complainant and witness in the case. Also, the police appear to be taking action in the case, arresting three of the suspects, conducting an investigation that led to the discovery of the bodies and providing protection for the family.

UPDATED INFORMATION:

On 17 May 2004, the police obtained an eight-day physical remand of three accused suspects of the murder of two girls, Aabida Bhutto and Tehmina Bhutto, killed in a Shikarpur village on the pretext of honour killing. The police first produced accused Hajji Nazeer, Hajji Shafi Mohammad and Sulaiman in the anti-terrorism court, Sukkur, but judge Riaz Rajput refused to give the remand as the case did not fall under the anti-terrorism law. He directed the police to obtain remand from the judicial magistrate. Later, the police brought the accused to the judicial magistrate at Shikarpur and obtained remand.

On 26 May 2004, the police again tried to challenge the case in the anti-terrorism court by attaching more supporting documents, including AHRC UA and letter, HREF letter and other evidence, as these murders were not simple murder cases but have also created fear and insecurity to the family and the community. Now the police are trying to punish the perpetrators of honour killing in an effort to make an example of them.

However, six other accused persons including Abdul Rasheed Bhutto, who made the decision to kill the victims, are still at large in this double murder case. We also received information that the District Investigation officer, Mr. Fida Hussain Mastoi, who is dealing with this case has been pressured politically and there is apprehension that he maybe be transferred to another place. A human rights group expressed its concern that he can be transferred at any time as all the ministers and members of
Parliament of this area are feudal lords.

Ms. Tahmeena, 17, and Ms. Aabida, 18, were killed under the fake allegation of “honour killings” by an influential landlord in the village of Jano in the town of Shikarpur in Sindh Province, Abdul Rasheed Bhutto, along with eight other accomplices. The murders of the two victims were labeled as honour killings in a jirga meeting that was convened after the incident, through an agreement among all of the perpetrators. The alleged reason for the murder of the girls was that they visited their grandparents in the nearby city of Sukkur without permission. After the two victims were killed, they were buried in a dry fish pond about one kilometer away from Jano village by the perpetrators. (If you want to see the photo of the victims, please go to: Photo 1. Please note that the picture is VERY GRAPHIC and DISTURBING.)

Fazal Bhutto, the brother of Tahmeena (one of the victims), registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Hajji Nazeer, Hajji Shafi, Sulaiman, Abdul Rasheed, Younis, Jamaluddin, Abdul Karim, Ghulam Sarwar and Sanaullah.

In the meantime, a number of people held a demonstration against the murder of Tahmeena and Aabida on 18 May 2004, and demanded the immediate arrest of the other six perpetrators and that severe steps be taken against the persons who organized the Jirga even though it has been banned by the High Court of Sindh in Pakistan. (To see the pictures of the demonstration, please go to: Photo 2, Photo 3)

AHRC again calls for you to pressure the local authorities to arrest the remaining six perpetrators and prosecute all of them as soon as possible. We also ask you to demand the local authorities to ensure the independent investigation into this matter enforce the Sindh High Court’s decision against the parallel justice system of tribal jirgas in Pakistan and provide compensation to the victims’ family.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER