Rewritten News Story:
Over 400 women were murdered in Pakistan in 2023 in the name of “honour killing,” according to a new report released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). One of the most disturbing cases was that of Bano Bibi, who was killed in the Degari area of Balochistan alongside Ehsanullah Samlani, allegedly for defying traditional norms.
The HRCP report highlights that these brutal killings are not confined to rural or impoverished regions—they are also occurring in major urban centres and even within diaspora communities abroad.
Speaking to The New York Times, HRCP Director Farah Zia said that while a 2016 law removed the legal loophole that allowed families to “forgive” honour killers, the frequency of such crimes has not declined.
“Police data shows 405 reported cases, but the real figure is likely much higher,” Zia noted, citing the widespread underreporting of honour-based violence.
Delayed Justice in Degari Killing Sparks Outrage
In the case of Bano Bibi and Ehsanullah, public outrage erupted only after a video of the killings went viral—six weeks after the incident. This delay in action by authorities drew heavy criticism and led to renewed calls for accountability.
Senator Sherry Rehman, who submitted a resolution in the Senate seeking justice for the victims, condemned the cultural mindset behind such violence:
“Many communities wrongly believe their so-called honour is tied to a woman’s body or choices,” she said.
“Low conviction rates only embolden perpetrators.”
Honour Killings Extend Beyond Borders
The New York Times also reported a chilling case from January 2024, in which a Pakistani man living in New York lured his 14-year-old daughter to Pakistan and murdered her due to disapproval of her lifestyle and clothing.
Conviction Rates Alarmingly Low
According to the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), only 0.5% of reported honour killing cases in 2023 resulted in convictions.
Most of the perpetrators are close male relatives—fathers, brothers, or uncles—who justify murder in the name of family “honour” for reasons such as:
- Refusing an arranged marriage
- Requesting a divorce
- Being in a romantic relationship
Urgent Calls for Action
Both the HRCP and civil society organisations are urging the government to take bold and immediate action to stop honour-based killings. They demand that:
- Laws be fully implemented
- Perpetrators face swift justice
- Victims and at-risk women be provided with full legal and social protection
The rising number of these crimes—despite legal reforms—shows that changing mindsets and enforcing laws without fear or favour is more critical than ever.
