Get the latest news and updates from Dawn
While rejecting an appeal by a convict who murdered his former wife just two days after she obtained a judicial decree dissolving their marriage, the Supreme Court on Saturday ruled that women who exercise their lawful rights should not be subjected to violence with impunity.
“This court, being mindful of the constitutional imperative to protect the life and dignity of women and to ensure that those who exercise their lawful rights are not subjected to violence with impunity, finds no basis to interfere with the concurrent conviction,” observed Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar.
Headed by Justice Kakar, a three-judge Supreme Court bench, also comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, took up an appeal against the Lahore High Court’s June 25, 2025, rejection of his plea.
According to the prosecution’s case, petitioner Wasim Abbas on Oct 11, 2020, at approximately 3pm, forcibly entered the home of Irshad Begum in Lahore. Armed with a .30-bore pistol, he was also accompanied by two unidentified accomplices on a motorcycle.
