Honour killing: Woman tortured to death by husband in Peshawar

Suspect arrested by K-P Police

PESHAWAR: A woman was allegedly tortured to death by her husband in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Mustarzai village in an apparent case of honour killing.

According to sources, R* was electrocuted and tortured by the suspect, Vaqas, in the jurisdiction of Badaber Police Station in Peshawar. The accused, reportedly a police constable, has been arrested by the K-P Police.



Honour Killing

The roots of honour killings lie in tribal social norms which remain prevalent across South Asia and dictate the behaviour of women in particular. Locally known as ‘Karo-kari”, honour killing is homicide of person(s) due to a belief that the victim has brought dishonor upon the family or community. The killing is viewed as reinstating of honour.



Women have been shot, stabbed, stoned, set alight and strangled for bringing ‘shame’ on their families for everything from refusing marriage proposals to wedding the ‘wrong’ man and helping friends elope. Men can be victims too, but the violence is overwhelmingly aimed at women.

Pakistan has the highest number of documented honour killings per capita despite legal reforms. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recorded at least 280 such murders from October 2016 to June 2017 – a figure believed to be underestimated and incomplete.