ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):The Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed the appeal of Waris Masih, a drug-addicted man convicted of murdering his wife, and upheld the Islamabad High Court’s decision converting his death sentence into life imprisonment.
According to the detailed written judgment approved for reporting by the Supreme Court, the verdict was issued by a three-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The written judgment was authored by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar.
In its ruling, the apex court observed that men are protectors of women, not their killers. It emphasized that women are equal members of society and are entitled to protection, respect, and dignity. The court expressed concern over the growing trend of women being subjected to inhumane and brutal violence over trivial matters.
The judgment noted that drug addiction has become a significant factor contributing to savage violence against women and that no one can be permitted to violate the sanctity of relationships such as mother, sister, wife, and daughter. The court held that it is the state’s responsibility to curb violence against women through comprehensive legislation, effective enforcement mechanisms, and supportive programs.
According to the prosecution, the convict Waris Masih was addicted to narcotics and frequently quarreled with his wife, Jameela Bibi. At midnight on July 6, 2015, he attacked his wife and their two minor children, Rimsha and Ramesh, with sticks, inflicting severe injuries. The medical report confirmed that the deceased died due to a fractured skull and brain injuries.
The court noted that the convict’s own daughter, Rimsha Waris Masih, testified as an eyewitness and injured witness against her father. The judgment stated that when a wife suffers an unnatural death within the confines of her home, the primary responsibility to explain the circumstances rests upon the husband. However, the accused remained silent during trial and failed to provide any plausible explanation.
The Supreme Court observed that the convict’s abscondence after the incident, his failure to participate in the burial, and his failure to inform the police were incriminating circumstances against him.
It is worth noting that the trial court had sentenced Waris Masih to death for the murder of his wife, along with one year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine amounting to five percent of the diyat for injuring his children. Subsequently, the Islamabad High Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment, a decision that has now been upheld by the Supreme Court while dismissing the convict’s appeal.