ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Wednesday deferred consideration of a bill seeking stricter penalties and enhanced criminal liability in honour killing cases, directing the Law Division to prepare a comprehensive legal brief on the proposed amendments and the existing statutory framework.
The committee, chaired by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, took up The Criminal Laws (Amendment) (Honour Killings Prevention) Bill, 2026, moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, who participated in the meeting through a video link.
During the deliberations at Parliament House, Ms Zehri highlighted gaps in the existing legal framework, saying honour killings continued to claim hundreds of lives annually despite the enactment of legislation in 2016.
She stressed the need to eliminate legal loopholes, strengthen deterrence and ensure accountability for those who instigated or facilitated such crimes, including through jirgas and customary practices. The proposed amendments seek stricter sentencing, enhanced criminal liability and effective state-led prosecution.
The federal law minister, however, observed that several safeguards proposed in the bill were already covered under existing laws and cautioned against duplication of legislation. He said shortcomings in investigation, prosecution and enforcement remained the principal challenges requiring attention.
Committee members strongly condemned honour killings and maintained that no custom, tradition or social practice could justify taking a human life. They emphasised the need for a fundamental change in societal attitudes alongside strict enforcement of existing laws, particularly provisions relating to Fasad-fil-Arz, to ensure accountability and effective deterrence.
Following the deliberations, the committee deferred further consideration of the bill at the request of the law ministry and the mover.
Senator Naek directed the Law Division to submit a comprehensive legal brief examining the existing statutory framework, the proposed amendments and their legal implications to facilitate further consideration of the legislation.
The committee also deferred consideration of The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2026; The Juvenile Justice System (Amendment) Bill, 2026; The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and The Federal Prosecution Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026, at the request of their respective movers.
The chairman further directed the Law Division to pursue the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan for the early submission of reports previously sought by the committee. Senators Shahadat Awan, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Mohammad Tallal Badar and Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting.
Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026
