Savaira Leghari, a student leader and member of the Jeay Sindh Students Federation (JSSF), was shot dead at her residence in Mirpurkhas on the afternoon of August 9, in an apparent case of persistent harassment turning lethal.
According to reports, the suspect, identified as Faizan Rajput, barged into her home and opened fire after she had repeatedly rejected his advances and outreach. He then turned the gun on himself and took his own life. Two individuals present at the scene were promptly handed over to the police by local residents following the incident.
Savaira Leghari, also known as Comrade Ekta Drawar, was known for her unyielding resistance against feudal mindsets, systemic patriarchy, and retrogressive social dynamics and was active member of JSSF.
Speaking to a TSH reporter, Savaira’s parents further informed that the situation escalated further that night when law enforcement agencies launched an overnight crackdown on the victim’s family and village. Around 2:30 am, police personnel raided the homes of Leghari’s uncles and other villagers. Several family members and activists, including women, were forcibly detained and taken to unknown locations. The victim’s relatives alleged that officers openly issued threats during the raid, targeting their past participation in anti-harassment rallies and rights protests.
Rights groups have strongly condemned the authorities for targeting the grieving family and fellow campaigners instead of providing protection and justice, demanding the immediate recovery of the detained individuals and an impartial inquiry into both the murder and the heavy-handed police action. Speaking to TSH, President of PSC Ali Abdullah Khan said, “The murder of Comrade Ekta is a tragic episode that has shocked all of us to the core. Comrade Ekta spent her life fighting against patriarchal and gender norms, and her murder has exposed how long and important this fight against patriarchy is and it now rests upon us, her comrades, to continue this fight and to fight for her justice. We demand an impartial investigation into this case and the release of all those illegally detained among her family members.”
