The meeting was attended by the Law Minister Farooq Naek, Senator Sadia Abbasi, MNA Zubaida Jalal, MNA Bushra Gohar, Secretary Federal Ministry for Women Development, Secretary Ministry for Social Welfare and Special Education, Secretary Federal Ministry for Interior, Secretary Ministry for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Home Secretary Government of Balochistan, DG National Police Bureau, Tariq Khosa Inspector General Province of Balochistan, DIG Sibbi and prominent members of the civil society.

“The meeting was a significant step towards drawing an urgent response to the recent cases of gender crimes in Balochistan. There was special focus on the Naseerabad Honour Killing case and the rape case reports of a widow in the Sui area,” said Ms Rehman talking to media after the three hour long session in Islamabad. The Federal Women Development Minister informed that the participants also deliberated on long term measures to root out structures and institutions that strengthen this kind of cultural terrorism against women.

Briefing the media on the outcomes of the meeting, Ms Rehman said that the specific purpose of interactive/consultative exercise was to bring to light facts regarding the recent cases in Balochistan, and to devise an action agenda to ensure the delivery of speedy justice to the victims.

“The Islamabad meeting helped clear confusion regarding the two cases. We now know the police’s account of the case, the details of actions taken, and factors obstructing the progress of the inquiry. In the light of the facts, the participants were able to chart out a clear strategy to respond to the two incidents. We expect a similar session in the coming days to exchange information on the progress of the investigation as well as on the measures to be pursued by the government for crimes against women.”

The Federal Women Development Minister said that the most encouraging outcome of the meeting was that it acted as a forum that firmly communicated the determination and the commitment of all stakeholders including the government, the civil society, the law enforcement agencies and the legislators to act against the discriminatory practices targeting women. “In the past, any attempts to address these crimes would fizzle out in the face of a reluctant state that was more interested in protecting elements that endorse negative practices against women. As a political government that is answerable to the public for its action as well as its inaction, our government is bound by its constitutional responsibility to proceed against such acts.”

Ms Rehman said that both the President and the Prime Minister have ordered immediate inquiry and a fair trial to ensure that no influential elements temper with the investigation and judicial process.

Ms Rehman said that the meeting also reviewed broader measures to address the culture of crimes against women. “We have decided on a range of legislative and institutional actions to address the negative practices against women. The institutional capacity of the Gender Crime Cell will be enhanced and the Ministry of Interior will be requested to move a special summary to the Prime Minister in this regard. Lacunas in the Honour Killing Legislation that allow for compoundability and privatisation of justice will be done away with. The government would also move the Honour Killing Bill proposed earlier since it was a stakeholder-driven legislation,” said Ms Rehman.

Members of the civil society hailed the government’s commitment to developing an institutional response to negative traditions that pose a threat to women’s security and compromise their interests. “The Minister’s active interest in the case is most encouraging and reflects the political will of the government to root out discriminatory practices against women. This is exactly what the function of the state is, and we would back the PPP government as it proceeds on the important mission to endeavour for gender equality and justice.”