The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights has ordered a fresh investigation into the case of Ayat Noor. The young girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The committee was briefed on the case by National Assembly member Babar Nawaz. He raised serious concerns about the police investigation. He alleged that authorities failed to properly investigate Ayat Noor’s disappearance and death.
According to Nawaz, Ayat Noor’s parents faced difficulties when they first approached police. He said the parents told him they had to convince police that they were legally married. This allegedly happened during the first two days after their daughter went missing.
Nawaz also alleged that a female deputy superintendent of police in Haripur accused Ayat Noor’s mother of killing her daughter. He further claimed that police pressured the girl’s father into recording a statement under Section 164.
The lawmaker said police only began treating the case more seriously after protests were held. The protests demanded the recovery of Ayat Noor and greater efforts to locate her.
Ayat Noor’s body was recovered on the 15th day after her disappearance. A post-mortem report reportedly estimated that she had been dead for around seven days before her body was found.
Nawaz said the findings raised questions about the circumstances of her death. He suggested that Ayat Noor may have remained alive for several days after allegedly being thrown into a well. He called for the timeline of events to be examined carefully.
He also noted that the governor and chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited the area after the body was recovered. Their visits came as public concern over the case increased.
Three children were arrested 15 days after Ayat Noor went missing. Nawaz questioned how the suspects were identified. He also asked whether investigators had enough evidence connecting them to the alleged crime.
The lawmaker raised further questions about the statement of an 11-year-old boy. The boy allegedly took Ayat Noor from her home. Nawaz questioned when the boy told investigators that three other boys had taken custody of her.
Nawaz also alleged that the same police officers accused of negligence were conducting the new inquiry. He said this raised concerns about the independence and credibility of the investigation.
He further questioned claims that the arrests were based on geofencing data. According to Nawaz, the children allegedly did not have mobile phones. He therefore called for authorities to explain how geofencing information was used to identify the suspects.
Committee member Shamsher Ali Mazari also called for the allegations of police negligence to be investigated fully. The committee’s decision is expected to place renewed focus on the circumstances surrounding Ayat Noor’s disappearance, death and the investigation that followed.
The allegations raised before the committee have not been established as facts. A fresh and independent investigation will be required to determine responsibility and clarify the sequence of events.
Also read: KP CM Gives Rs10m Aid to Ayat Noor’s Family, Vows Justice
