By : Mahnoor Fatima
No cultural or religious justification for honor killing is acceptable under Pakistan’s legal system. Yet, over 1,000 people are reportedly killed in the name of honor each year, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Behind every number lies a silenced life and a shattered home.
Recently, a disturbing video of a couple from Balochistan went viral. The young man and woman were brutally shot dead in the name of honor. The woman’s family members killed them because they had violated tribal norms. According to reports, the couple got married (nikkahfied) without the family’s approval. This independent action infuriated the family, as it was against traditional tribal values. As a result, they were killed.
In a patriarchal culture, norms often override the rule of law. A family’s reputation is usually tied to the actions of its women. These deeply rooted practices have claimed many lives. But how many more times must this happen? Does such an incident justify the killing in the name of honor?
In the eyes of the law, honor killing is a social crime. According to Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, killing someone for the sake of honor is considered intentional murder (Qatl-e-Amd). Under Section 311 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2016, the court has the discretion to punish the offender even if the family forgives the killer. The court may impose life imprisonment (Tazir) if Qisas (retaliatory punishment) is waived by the family.
If these laws exist, why are honor killing cases still rising day by day? The reality is that Pakistan’s modern criminal justice system and traditional tribal norms are often in conflict. Courts still accept compromises in practice, despite the 2016 amendment. Moreover, weak legal enforcement is a major reason why honor killings continue.
There is a dire need to end the culture of honor killing. Awareness campaigns should be launched in rural areas to educate people. The state must become the complainant in all honor killing cases. Strict enforcement of Sections 302 and 311 is essential. The Supreme Court’s ban on Jirgas must also be fully implemented.
To eliminate this evil from society, the state must reaffirm its commitment to enforcing the legal framework. Only through consistent and public implementation of the law can such tragedies be prevented in the future
The author is Final Year Law student , she can be contacted at fmahnoor346@gmail.com
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