RAWALPINDI: The family of Hina Javed, a 42-year-old parliamentary employee who was killed Aug. 20 in the Lal Kurti area of Rawalpindi, is speaking out about changes in her behavior after her arranged marriage last November, as police continue their investigation into her death.
Javed’s cousin, Sabah Malik, and sister-in-law, whose name was not disclosed, told BOL News that Javed had become withdrawn and reserved following her wedding, a significant departure from the confident, career-oriented woman they had known for years.
“Hina was an independent, confident, career-oriented woman who was full of life,” Malik said in an interview with BOL News. “After marriage, she became quieter and more introverted.”
Malik said Javed had worked for the National Assembly for 15 years and had recently received a promotion, sharing the news with her family days before her death.
“She was extremely soft-hearted, loving and kept the family together,” Malik said. “She cared for her parents and visited them daily with her sister-in-law.”
Family members repeatedly asked Javed if she was happy in her marriage, but she would change the subject rather than answer, according to Malik.
Javed’s sister-in-law told BOL News that Javed had been visiting her parents’ home daily for the past nine to 10 months. She said she never sensed Javed was in distress, but acknowledged that Javed would grow silent or deflect questions when asked about her married life.
Police have arrested Javed’s husband and a domestic worker in connection with her death. Her father-in-law has not yet been taken into custody, the family said.
The family is calling for the immediate arrest of the father-in-law and a full investigation into his role.
“We cannot express in words what our family has lost,” the family said in a statement. “Hina was a daughter, a sister and a friend. Her entire life was an open book to us.”
The family has demanded that the investigation proceed with full transparency, free from influence, pressure or delay. They expressed confidence in Pakistan’s legal and judicial system.
“Violence against women is a crime and should be treated as such,” the family said.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of Javed’s death.
This story was reported by Muhammad Alijah Khan for BOL News.
