Following activist Amina Masood’s revelation that Javed Iqbal, the Head of Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman had sexually harassed the wife of a missing person when she appeared before the commission, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned him to investigate the matter.
Speaking to journalist Hamid Mir on his TV show, Amina Masood revealed that when the wife of a missing person approached the commission to enquire about her husband’s whereabouts, Javed Iqbal allegedly said to her, “You are so beautiful, why do you need a husband?”
ایک لاپتہ شخص کی بیوی لاپتہ افراد کے لیے بنائے کمیشن میں پیش ہوئی تو کمیشن کے سربراہ جاوید اقبال نے کہا تم اتنی خوبصورت ہو تمھیں شوہر کی کیا ضرورت ہے۔ آمنہ جنجوعہ pic.twitter.com/Jt8dimynoF
— Arshad Chaudhry (@arshdchaudhary) July 5, 2022
The PAC is also investigating Javed Iqbal on other charges of harassment, including a letter written by Tayyaba Gul, who had leveled harassment allegations against the former NAB chief.
The PAC Chairperson Noor Alam Khan said that harassment of women would not be allowed and action would be taken against anyone involved in such acts, adding that it was unfortunate that many such incidents happen with heads of institutions.
He said that Javed Iqbal had sent a letter expressing his inability to appear before the committee owing to Eid-ul-Azha, however Noor Alam rejected the letter and instructed NAB officials to immediately inform the former NAB chief to show up to the PAC session on Thursday (today).
Social media users are admonishing the comments made by the head of the missing persons commission, calling it an alarming depiction of the state’s attitude towards enforced disappearances.
Justice Javed Iqbal harassed another woman and used his power to coerce her for sexual favours, because her husband was being investigated by NAB, and he could blackmail her.
This is another case.
And all the govt and opposition leaders called that scandal a “personal matter” https://t.co/D038g9ZSnk— Sherry (@CherieDamour_) July 6, 2022
Sometimes it is difficult for me to decide who is worse, Javed Iqbal (the serial killer) or Javed Iqbal (the justice)!
🤮🤮🤮#EndEnforcedDisappearances https://t.co/pb6sliL7bi— Raja Ali Saleem (@RajaSaleem14) July 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/ShaykShack/status/1544912347474677760
When the wife of a missing person appeared before the Commission, Justice Javed Iqbal, the head of the commission told her, "You are so beautiful. What do you need a husband for?" Amna Janjua revealed
a person holding the post of Supreme judge is like this, will justice prevail? https://t.co/m1aUw4oMPt
— Ali Mustafa (@smalimustafa) July 6, 2022
Disgusting: Justice (r) Javed Iqbal, chairman missing persons commission asked a missing persons wife that “why you need a husband? You are so beautiful”, reveals @AminaMJanjua in interview with @HamidMirPAK pic.twitter.com/dp8SErbsiX
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) July 5, 2022
Justice (R) Javed Iqbal who is heading a commission of inquiry on enforced disappearances, asked wife of a missing person , you are such a beautiful women , why you need a husband? Source Amina Masood Janjua
What a disgusting and shameful act ,he must be dragged into the court— Bilal Ghauri (@mbilalghauri) July 5, 2022
Chairman PAC takes notice of Amina masood Janjua's revelations regarding justice retd. Javed Iqbal, says this will be adressed in tommorow 's meeting…This should be taken very seriously hoping to see further action on this!!
— Aleena Farooq Sheikh (@FarooqAleena) July 6, 2022
Listen to this and remember that head-to-toe fame Justice (R) Javed Iqbal was the head of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of Pakistan and political and media engineering was done through him for 4 years. pic.twitter.com/4KhSHHzdUR
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) July 6, 2022
Below humanity! He is a known predator but lack of effective legislation would create more misery for the person who had lost a loved one.
Refer him to judicial council so they can defrock him and confiscate all of his assets as well so he suffers in this world as well as in hell.
We also need effective harassment legislation.