Pakistan Shocked by Surge in Honour Killings Across Three Provinces. Pakistan has reported a sharp rise in honour killings in recent days. Three brutal cases have emerged from Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Balochistan. In each incident, the victims were either married by choice or accused of violating cultural norms. Tribal councils, or jirgas, allegedly backed the murders. Authorities have made arrests and launched investigations. However, silence from families and deep-rooted traditions continue to block justice.
Karachi Couple Murdered for Honour
In Karachi, police found the bodies of a couple, Sajid Masih and Sana Asif, near the Clifton China Port on July 28. Both were in their early 30s and originally from a village in Gujranwala, Punjab. Investigators confirmed that the victims had been tortured and shot. Police also recovered 9mm bullet casings from the scene.
The couple had reportedly gone missing on July 15. On July 17, Sana’s brother, Waqas, filed a kidnapping case against Sajid and four others. Police in Karachi are now working closely with Gujranwala police. Waqas has been taken into custody for questioning.
So far, no family members have claimed the bodies or filed a formal complaint. Police will proceed with a murder case under state prosecution. Investigators believe a close relative may have planned the killings.
Rawalpindi Bride Killed on Jirga Orders
In another horrifying case, 19-year-old Sidra Arab Gul was killed in Rawalpindi’s Pirwadhai area. Her husband, Ziaur Rehman, allegedly murdered her following a jirga decision. The incident occurred shortly after their marriage.
A court-ordered exhumation revealed signs of torture on Sidra’s face and head. Doctors believe she died from suffocation. Police arrested both Ziaur Rehman and his father. They remain in custody and have made major disclosures during the investigation.
A female doctor is finalizing the post-mortem report. Authorities are pursuing additional suspects involved in the illegal jirga. Despite laws against such practices, tribal councils continue to operate in parts of Pakistan.
Balochistan Honour Killing Case
A disturbing video from Balochistan has gone viral, sparking national outrage. The footage shows a woman and a man being shot dead in a desert area. Officials say a local jirga ordered the killings, accusing the victims of having an affair.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the victims were not a couple. The woman, a mother of five, was married to a man named Noor. The male victim was about 50 years old and had multiple children as well.
Police have arrested 12 suspects so far, including a tribal leader. The provincial government also suspended the local DSP for failing to report the crime. Raids continue to find other suspects. No family members have come forward to file an FIR.
Spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that the incident took place around Eid al-Adha. He stated that it was not a rumor but a real event that reflects the ongoing danger of tribal justice.
Pakistan’s Ongoing Struggle Against Honour Killings
These cases reveal a disturbing trend. In Pakistan, women and men who defy family traditions face violent consequences. Honour killings, often supported by illegal tribal councils, continue to claim lives. While police have arrested suspects, investigations often face resistance from families and communities.
Human rights groups are urging the government to ban jirgas, reform outdated laws, and protect those at risk. Without strong legal action and cultural change, such tragedies are likely to continue.
