KARACHI:
Honour is a word that should stand for respect, dignity and integrity, but unfortunately in many parts of Pakistan, it has been tragically distorted into a justification for violence, especially against women. Under the shadow of this vicious customary concept, the lives of countless women are taken by those who claim to defend family pride.
According to the Human Right Commission of Pakistan, over 470 cases of honour killing were reported last year. Activists emphasise that actual figures are likely much higher as many cases go unreported or are disguised as suicides.
One of Pakistan’s most tragic incidents of honour killing in recent memory is the murder of Gullan Baharo, a young mother of two from Sukkur. According to reports, Gullan Baharo had been living with her father for nearly three years after separating from her abusive husband. She had not formally gotten a judicial divorce but in many parts of Sindh, a woman leaving her husband is treated as rebellion. Her husband declared her as a ‘kari’ — a woman accused of an illicit relationship. He believed she deserved to die.
When Gullan learned they were coming for her, she sought help from the police and went to Dar-ul-Aman for shelter. But during a court proceeding, her father begged her to return and she obliged, for the sake of her father’s dignity.
Gullan was brutally killed by her husband and his uncle on 2 May 2026. The woman who begged for protection was murdered anyway. The thing that makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that Gullan foretold her fate. In a video statement, she clearly said, “I know I will be killed”.
This incident highlights the strong influence of patriarchy, tribal culture, feudal power and social pressures that continue to fuel so-called honour crimes in parts of Balochistan as well. People call these crimes “honour killing” but there is no honour in killing women. Although laws against honour killing exist in Pakistan, implementation is still weak. A society cannot move forward when half of its population lives under the threat of violence for simply exercising their basic rights. Legal reforms alone are not enough — awareness, education and strict enforcement of law are essential to break this cycle of violence.
Saba Kaleem
Loralai
