The Hina Javed murder case has gripped Pakistan this week after a 45-year-old woman was found dead inside her Rawalpindi apartment, her hands bound and a wire wrapped around her neck.
Police in the Civil Lines jurisdiction have arrested her husband, Faisal Asghar Imam, and a domestic worker, Zeeshan Arshad, while her father-in-law remains named in the FIR but unarrested.
Timeline: How Hina Javed’s Body Was Found
The tragedy unfolded on Thursday morning at Askari Apartments in Rawalpindi’s Lalkurti area. Hina’s brother, Fahad Javed Malik, received a call from her father-in-law reporting an emergency at the residence.
When Fahad arrived with relatives, he found his sister’s body in the bathroom, tied to the shower with a wire around her neck and a cloth stuffed into her mouth.
Who Are the Suspects in the Hina Javed Murder Case
Faisal Asghar Imam, a professor associated with NUST, married Hina Javed in November 2025. Investigators say this was his second marriage, after his first wife reportedly divorced him over alleged abuse.
The second suspect, domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad, was employed at the household. Police say both men were taken into custody as evidence from the crime scene was collected and reviewed.
Inside the FIR: What Police Documents Reveal
According to the First Information Report, Hina’s hands were tied behind her back, her mouth was covered with cloth, and a wire noose was fastened around her throat and the shower.
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The FIR was registered under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, covering murder and offences committed with shared intent — allowing prosecutors to pursue all three named accused.
Father-in-Law Named But Not Yet Arrested
Hina’s family has singled out her father-in-law, retired Colonel Asghar Ali Fayyaz, as a central figure in the case, noting he was the one who first called to report the emergency.
Despite being named in the FIR, he had not been arrested as investigators pieced together the sequence of events, prompting sharp criticism and renewed demands from Hina’s relatives for accountability.
Family Alleges Months of Abuse
Fahad Javed Malik told police and media that his sister had repeatedly complained of physical and psychological mistreatment throughout her nine-month marriage, describing a troubling pattern inside the household.
The family also alleges the scene was staged to resemble a suicide or robbery, though building security denied any break-in, and Hina was still wearing her gold bangles when she was found.
#JusticeForHina Movement Gains Momentum
The hashtag #JusticeForHina has trended across Pakistani social media, with actress Mahira Khan among the public figures amplifying calls for a transparent investigation into the Hina Javed murder case.
Hina’s cousin, Sabah Bano Malik, wrote online that her family had campaigned against gender-based violence for years, adding that this time the tragedy had struck their own household directly.
Hina Javed Case: Key Facts at a Glance
Key details of the case, drawn from the FIR and statements from Civil Lines police, are summarised below for readers tracking the fast-moving Rawalpindi investigation.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Hina Javed, 45 |
| Location | Askari Apartments, Lalkurti, Rawalpindi |
| Husband/suspect | Faisal Asghar Imam |
| Domestic worker/suspect | Zeeshan Arshad |
| Father-in-law (named, unarrested) | Col (r) Asghar Ali Fayyaz |
| Marriage date | November 2025 |
| FIR sections | 302, 34 PPC |
| Investigating station | Civil Lines Police Station |
- Body discovered in the bathroom, tied to the shower fitting
- Hands bound, mouth gagged, wire around the neck
- Family alleges the scene was staged as a suicide/robbery
- Post-mortem conducted; report awaited at time of writing
Husband’s Professional Background Under Scrutiny
Faisal Asghar Imam had built a public profile as an academic before his arrest, with reports describing him as a professor linked to NUST, one of Pakistan’s leading universities in Islamabad.
That professional standing has drawn added scrutiny, as commentators question how allegations from his first marriage went unaddressed before he remarried and, according to the FIR, allegedly killed Hina.
Violence Against Women: A Wider Pattern in Pakistan
Rights advocates say the Hina Javed murder case echoes a broader pattern of domestic violence in Pakistan, where thousands of women report abuse annually but convictions remain comparatively rare nationwide.
Commentators have drawn parallels to the 2021 murder of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad, a case that similarly triggered nationwide protests and scrutiny of how authorities handle crimes against women.
Possible Legal Outcomes
Legal observers note that a conviction under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code can carry the death penalty or life imprisonment, depending on how the trial court classifies the killing.
However, Pakistan’s courts have historically taken years to conclude high-profile murder trials, and Hina’s family says it will keep pressing for a swift, transparent process rather than a prolonged wait.
What Happens Next in the Investigation
Civil Lines police station chief Asif Sajjad has said the investigation remains active, with a post-mortem report awaited and evidence from the apartment still under forensic examination by officials.
Hina’s family has urged Punjab Police to act without delay, arrest her father-in-law, and ensure the case proceeds through the courts free from influence, pressure or political interference of any kind.
