Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has reiterated the provincial government's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against crimes and violence targeting women.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, she emphasized that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is resolute in ensuring justice for victims of such crimes. Bukhari highlighted the establishment of women-only virtual police stations across Punjab, where female police officers exclusively handle cases involving women.
"Now, a murder cannot be made to appear like a suicide," the minister asserted.
Addressing the high-profile case of Sania Zehra, Bukhari expressed deep concern over the tragic incident, condemning attempts to falsely classify her murder as a suicide.
"A very painful incident came to light in the Sania Zehra murder case, where her death was initially attributed to suicide," she said. "However, it has now been proven through forensic evidence that Sania was murdered, and the claims of suicide were baseless."
'Murder committed first, noose tied later'
Bukhari revealed that forensic analysis showed no swelling on Sania's neck, and the dupatta used to stage the hanging bore the DNA of her husband and mother-in-law, adding that they both wrapped the noose around Sania's neck. "The murder was committed first, and the noose was set afterward," she asserted.
The minister further said that according to reports, the dupatta found tied around the girl's neck was not the reason for her death. "It has been proved that Sania was murdered. All the tests and investigations proved that it was not a suicide case," she declared.
Azma Bukhari further said that influential suspects tried hard to avoid this case, but the chief minister has given clear instructions that this case should be pursued.
'Husband, mother-in-law proven guilty in polygraph tests'
MPA Hina Parvez Butt, the chairperson of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, also spoke at the conference, denouncing the murder as a brutal act driven by greed over property. "Sania was killed by her husband for refusing to name her property after him," Butt said, adding that an autopsy was conducted with the permission of the girl's family.
She said both Sania's husband and mother-in-law were subjected to polygraph tests, which reportedly returned positive results, further implicating them in the crime. "We plead to the courts to provide justice to Sania's family," the MPA stated, adding that the government will not allow girls to be killed for so-called honour and the incident painted as suicide.
"On seeing the body, it was immediately determined that she had been killed and hanged," Butt said further.
Judicial commission
The news conference also touched on broader political issues, with Bukhari condemning the actions of PTI and its leader, referring to the violent incidents of May 9. She criticized PTI for its alleged involvement in the planning and execution of attacks on military installations and sensitive sites, asserting that these actions were premeditated and part of a larger campaign of incitement.
"Military installations and sensitive buildings were torched under careful planning. So, how is the PTI founder saying the arsonists were not his people. The PTI founder himself said if he was arrested, his party workers people will move towards Cantt. He even threatened that if he was re-arrested the same situation will arise," she asserted.
Bukhari dismissed calls for a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 events, stating that the entire world witnessed the chaos, which followed months of inflammatory speeches and rallies by PTI.
"May 9 did not happen in a day, it followed 70 rallies and two long marches and various programs over a year. May 9 followed PTI's venomous speeches," she claimed.
She accused PTI's leadership of seeking to undermine the Constitution and laws of Pakistan for personal gain, while simultaneously tarnishing the country's image abroad.
