The father and ex-husband of a victim allegedly killed on the orders of a local council are among nine people arrested in eastern Pakistan in connection with the young woman’s death. Sidra Bibi, 18, was reportedly killed after she married a man of her own choosing, sparking widespread condemnation in a country where killings with such motivations are still common-tagged “honour killing”.
According to police official Aftab Hussain, Sidra Bibi’s relatives buried her body and flattened the land to erase evidence of a grave. The victim was suffocated using a pillow placed over her face. The arrests came after authorities exhumed the body and carried out an autopsy, which confirmed she had been tortured before being killed.
The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported 405 women were killed in 2024 in such cases, compared with 226 in 2023. Sadia Bukhari, a member of the commission’s council, noted that “the actual number is believed to be higher due to underreporting”. More than 32,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported nationwide last year, including 547 similar murders, according to the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO).
In a recent incident, a video shared online appeared to show a young couple being shot dead for marrying without their families’ approval in Balochistan. Police confirmed the authenticity of the footage, which went viral, saying the killings happened in May near Balochistan’s capital, Quetta. Thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with the murder.
“These so-called honour killings reveal a deep-rooted mindset that views women as the property of men,” Bukhari said. “Most women in Pakistan face discrimination from childhood through adulthood.” Nadia Rahman, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for research in South Asia, emphasized the need for the government to end impunity for violence and abolish tribal councils that prescribe such horrific crimes.
Honor killings in Pakistan are often linked to cultural pressures and societal norms. The practice is rooted in patriarchal attitudes, where male family members exert control over women’s lives. Despite legislative amendments and societal outrage, honor killings remain unabated. In 2016, Pakistan repealed the loophole that allowed perpetrators of honor killings to avoid punishment by seeking forgiveness from another family member.
Experts and human rights activists stress the need for systemic reforms to ensure accountability and protect vulnerable women. Strengthening law enforcement capacity, addressing procedural loopholes, and improving the prosecution process are crucial steps towards eradicating honor killings in Pakistan.
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