As many as 81 women were killed in the name of ‘honour’ across Punjab in the current year while the highest number was reported in the Gujranwala region where 17 women lost their lives.
Statistics projected in an adjournment motion, presented by Pakistan Tehtreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) MPA Syeda Zahra Naqvi in Punjab Assembly, showed that the incidents of honour killings showed an alarming surge in the province.
She said 178 suspects killed women in the name of ‘honour’. There are 62 suspects out of a total of 178 who are still at large and police were clueless about why they could not be arrested.
The provincial government is going to introduce legislation specifically on “women’s murder in the name of honour” wherein exemplary punishment will be proposed for the assailants.
“The process has been initiated and the quarters concerned have been taken on board to ensure that the legislation which the provincial government would introduce in coming two or three sessions of the Punjab Assembly will be a comprehensive legislation and there will be no loopholes in it,” said Pakistan PTI’ MPA Seemabia Tahir.
She said the incidents of honour killing were increasing day by day and women were murdered in the name of ‘honour’.
The lawmaker highlighted that there have been different laws protecting women but the laws PTI was going to introduce would specifically be relating to honour killing.
On a query that what sort of punishments would be proposed for the assailants, MPA Seemabia said all relevant issues were being discussed but one thing was very clear that the exemplary punishment would be given to root out the reoccurrence of the incidents.
“Secondly, we are also discussing that how a comprehensive campaign could be launched to aware people giving them message to stop such murder of women in the name of honour.”
The statistics showed that Faisalabad stood at second number with 12 cases of honour killing. Similarly, Multan is at the third number where 11 women had been murdered, 10 women in Bahawalpur, eight in Sargodha, six in DG Khan, four in Rawalpindi and two in the Sahiwal region.
MPA Zahra sought debate in the House over this issue adding such incidents be stopped.
House proceedings
Punjab Assembly unanimously passed The Provincial Assembly of The Punjab Privileges (Amendment) Bill 2021 removing some controversial sections relating to imposition of ban on the journalist. The journalists present in the press gallery admired the role of Speaker Pervez Elahi.
During the proceedings, the PTI lawmakers proposed to stop exorbitant charges being imposed on traders who reached at specific animal markets from far-flung areas. However, Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Elahi directed Law Minister Basharat Raja to talk with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to stop this practice.
The opposition lawmakers grilled the government over not complying with the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan about the restoration of local government institutions in Punjab.
Raja said, “we will comply with court’s orders but the government had filed a review petition seeking interpretation on some points. As soon as the verdict is announced, the provincial government will comply with the orders.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2021.
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