Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘Pakistan will be judged on getting justice for Samia’

by NADEEM BADSHAH

THE family of a British woman murdered in Pakistan in 2016 are still awaiting justice and are urging judges to act, an MP has revealed.


Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, has been supporting the family of Samia Shahid, 28, who was raped and attacked in a suspected so-called honour killing. She is planning to write to the chief justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, this week asking him to intervene over the repeated delays in the legal proceedings.

Shahid, who grew up in Bradford, died while visiting relatives in the village of Pandori in northern Punjab two years ago. Her ex-husband, Chaudhry Muhammad Shakeel, was arrested but was freed on bail due to a lack of progress in the trial. He denies her murder.

In an interview with Eastern Eye, Shah said justice needs to be served to help Shahid’s widower Syed Mukhtar Kazim and her family deal with their loss.

Shah said: “I am writing to the chief justice this week. I spoke to him and asked why they are not prosecuting. “I asked him to look into the case. The judicial process has taken much longer than it should have done.

“It is frustrating, I want to see justice for Samia. It will be three years in July 2019, the

family feel people will forget. It is easy to get disheartened. He [husband Kazim] is not very well, he just wants justice.”

Samia’s father, Chaudhry Muhammad Shahid, was held as a suspected accessory to the murder but released on bail. He died in January 2018.

The beautician had an arranged marriage with Shakeel, her cousin, in Pakistan in 2012 but the relationship broke down.

She married Kazim in Leeds in 2014 and moved to Dubai. He has claimed Samia’s relatives disapproved of their marriage.

Shah has previously written to prime minister Imran Khan about the case and believes the country’s image will be damaged if it fails to act.

“It doesn’t send a good message if Samia doesn’t get justice. There will be little confidence in the Pakistan judiciary.

“They have to set a narrative that if you want your daughters to go abroad, then the law will catch up with you for British and Pakistani nationals in the world.

“[It is about] How Pakistan is perceived internationally and its commitment to honour-based violence. It is about justice for Samia and on a wider level, the image of the country internationally.”

Shortly after Shahid’s death, it emerged she had a bruise measuring 19 centimetres in length on her neck from being strangled. That was despite the post-mortem concluding she had suffered a heart attack and there were no physical marks on her.

Shahid’s family in Pakistan have strongly denied any involvement in her death. Shah believes part of the problem lies with how Pakistan’s justice system operates.

She added: “The justice system is very different to here, it’s like a private prosecution done through a judiciary.

“The person connected with the case has to lead the prosecution. “Her husband lodged a case, there’s a risk to his life if he goes back to Pakistan.

“He has to pursue the case and that’s what he has been doing.

“In relation to the rape, the police have forensics. It must happen as soon as possible. It has been two and-a-half years.”

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less