KARACHI: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has strongly condemned the remarks reportedly made by Justice Ali Baqar Najfi in the Noor Mukaddam case, terming them misogynistic, irresponsible, and reflective of a harmful mindset. The comments allegedly suggested that such cases occur as a result of live-in relationships — a claim the Commission says amounts to clear victim blaming.
In its statement, NCSW asserted that shifting responsibility away from the perpetrators of violence and placing it on women is unacceptable and undermines justice. It stressed that no woman’s choices, real or perceived, can ever justify or explain murder, brutality, or any form of gender-based violence.
The Commission referred to the landmark judgment of Justice Ayesha Malik, who had earlier emphasized that language used for victims must be sensitive, respectful, and free from personal biases of judges. Her judgment clearly warned against moralising, stereotyping, or using narratives that shame or blame women.
NCSW said the remarks in the Noor Mukaddam case disregard that judicial responsibility and risk eroding public trust in the justice system. The Commission called on the judiciary to uphold constitutional values, maintain impartiality, and ensure courts remain spaces where survivors and victims are treated with dignity and respect.
The statement concluded that justice must be delivered on the basis of facts and law — not personal judgment or bias.
