Pakistan Arrests 14 Suspects in “Honour Killing” Case

Pakistani authorities have arrested at least 14 individuals, including a tribal leader, in connection with the killing of a couple in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The arrests followed nationwide outrage over a video depicting the murders that went viral on social media, with many calling it yet another case of “honour killing” – a phenomenon reported from across South Asia.

The couple, identified as Bano Bibi and her husband Ehsan Ullah, were likely killed in May near Balochistan’s capital Quetta. According to the first information report (FIR) filed by the police, the couple was allegedly brought before local tribal leader Sardar Sherbaz Khan, who declared them guilty of engaging in an “immoral relationship” and ordered that they be killed. The viral video shows a group of armed men gathered around vehicles in a deserted area, with Bano being ordered to stand away from the vehicles as the couple is shot multiple times.

Harris Khalique, general secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), condemned the killings, saying they confirm the “tyranny of medieval practices” still entrenched in many parts of Pakistan. “The state, instead of establishing the rule of law and ensuring the right to life of its citizens, has protected the tribal chiefs and feudal lords who guard such practices to perpetuate their power over local people and resources,” Khalique said.

Sammi Deen Baloch, a member of a Baloch women’s rights group, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the killing of women has become “a matter of routine” in Balochistan. “In Balochistan, women are murdered for love, disappeared for protest, and buried under layers of tribal authority and state-backed silence. These are not isolated tragedies. They are the cost of a system designed to keep Balochistan obedient, and its women expendable,” she said.

The incident highlights Pakistan’s dismal record on “honour killings” and other forms of violence against women. According to the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), more than 32,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported nationwide in 2024, including 547 instances of “honour killings” – 32 of them in Balochistan and only one resulting in conviction. The SSDO report also noted that the conviction rate for such crimes stands below 2%.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed that a case on terrorism charges was registered, and 11 suspects had been arrested so far, adding that the operation was ongoing, and all culprits would be brought to justice. “The state stands with the oppressed,” he declared. The police have also ordered the exhumation of the couple’s bodies for an autopsy.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has condemned honour-based violence, noting in its 2024 report at least 405 honour killings, primarily targeting women. Critics attribute the persistence of these crimes to societal pressure, family interference, and tribal customs that undermine legal protections.