A tragic incident of ‘honour’ killing occurred in Mastung district, Balochistan, where a couple was shot dead by the woman’s family on Tuesday morning. The brutal act, which follows a recent spate of similar killings in the region, has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of ‘honour’ crimes in Pakistan.
Police in Balochistan reported the tragic deaths of a couple in Mastung on Tuesday, as the woman’s family allegedly murdered them in the name of ‘honour’. The victims, who had been married for seven years, were traveling from Panjgur to Lakpass when the fatal incident occurred. The couple was invited by the woman’s brothers to meet them, but upon reaching Noshki Cross, they were ambushed by the suspects on two motorcycles at around 7 a.m. The couple was shot dead with a pistol before the assailants fled the scene.
The couple was accompanied by their two children and the woman’s brother during the journey. After staying at a hotel near Lakpass the night before, they were targeted at the Noshki Cross. Police have initiated an investigation into the matter, and a case has been registered under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including murder and criminal assault. Five individuals have been named as suspects, with enmity and the love marriage of the couple cited as the motive behind the killings.
This incident follows a similar case in Quetta, where a man and woman were killed just before Eidul Azha, allegedly on the orders of a tribal jirga, also in the name of ‘honour.’ Police arrested at least 14 suspects linked to that case, which further amplified public outrage over the persistence of such violent practices in the region.
The frequency of ‘honour’ killings in Pakistan remains a deeply entrenched issue, particularly in rural areas, where traditional societal norms often override legal protections for women and men involved in love marriages. In recent weeks, there have been multiple cases of ‘honour’ crimes, including a woman suffocated to death in Pirwadhai, Rawalpindi, with the crime allegedly stemming from family tensions and a marriage deemed dishonorable by her relatives.
Despite efforts by the Pakistani government and civil society organizations to curb these crimes, they continue to claim the lives of both women and men. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported that 346 people fell victim to ‘honour’ crimes across the country in 2024, with high numbers in Sindh and Punjab.
