Over a thousand are killed every year in Pakistan in the name of honour
KARACHI: It is unfortunate and saddening that one among the many social evils, ‘honour’ killing is on a rise in the country to the extent that it is no longer an issue of rural or feudalistic societies but also of urban centres, which are considered to be relatively progressed and developed.
A few months back, a boy and a girl hailing from an urban slum of Karachi were electrocuted for eloping together and bringing ‘shame’ to their families. Shockingly, both were electrocuted to death by their own immediate family members. On the other hand, in numerous cases, couples marrying of their free will have left their hometowns, mostly tribal or village areas, to seek protection in the metropolis.
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, over a thousand are killed every year in Pakistan in the name of honour mostly for going against the wishes of their family in matters relating to marriage. Despite tougher punishments being put into place through legislations, no considerable reduction has been observed in cases of honour killing, primarily because Jirga or Panchayat system continues to have a strong foothold in far-flung regions of the country where only lawlessness prevails.
Ammar Ahmad
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2017.
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