In the Vehari district of Punjab province, two sisters were Honor Killing. And their brother, father. And uncle was arrested as the suspects. They were slain for honor after they ran away from home to marry men whom they loved.
Incident Details
The incident unfolded in the vicinity of Police Station Machhivali, located near the border19DWB of Punjab. According to the police, the two girls had entered into love marriages, enraging the suspects.
The police stated that the victims, Afshan Bibi and Nishat Bibi, were brought back home forcibly by the suspects. Still, upon arrival, the perpetrators, in collaboration with the girls’ father and uncle, mercilessly killed both sisters before fleeing the scene.
Police Response
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) has formed teams to catch the criminals behind the incident, and it is anticipated that they will soon be brought to book.
Context and Previous Incidents
This is another one in a series of honor killings that have rocked Pakistan recently. Just a month ago, in Lahore city, there happened such a case where parents killed their daughter in the name of family honor and confessed during police interrogation.
Earlier this year, an appalling event occurred at Orangi Town MP Colony area of Karachi when a man brutally murdered his sister-in-law.
Societal Issues and Call for Action
These cases reflect deep-rooted social problems prevailing within our society, particularly with regard to women’s rights and honor killings. Despite having laws on the ground as well as running various campaigns. Nothing seems enough because these are still happening. Which means immediate, complete reforms need to be done besides making them more stringent. Hence protecting those who cannot defend themselves against such atrocities.
Government and civil society organizations, together with communities, should challenge harmful cultural norms while promoting gender equality. Education programs must also come up aimed at creating awareness among people about different rights that individuals have, including freedom from violence against any person, no matter their age or sex, but most especially girls/women.
