Couple killed for 'honour' in Bannu

A young man and woman were killed in Bannu district.

According to police sources, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Mira Khel police station, where Mehran and Shameem Bibi had eloped to marry of their own choice.

The young couple was shot dead within the Mira Khel area. The police have transferred the bodies to the hospital and initiated further investigation.

Honor killings, known locally as "karo-kari," remain a significant issue in Pakistan, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province. These acts involve the murder of individuals, predominantly women, by family members who believe the victim has brought dishonor upon the family. Despite legal reforms, such incidents continue to occur, reflecting deep-seated cultural norms and challenges in law enforcement.

Accurate and up-to-date statistics on honor killings in K-P are challenging to obtain due to underreporting and the clandestine nature of these crimes. However, national figures provide some insight. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, over 470 cases of honor killings were reported nationwide in 2021. Human rights defenders estimate that around 1,000 women are murdered in the name of honor every year across the country.

K-P has witnessed several high-profile honor killing cases that highlight the persistence of this issue. The 2012 Kohistan video case, for instance, involved the murder of several women after a video emerged showing them singing and clapping alongside men, which was deemed dishonorable by local tribal norms. Despite legal proceedings, achieving justice in such cases remains arduous.

In response to international and domestic pressure, Pakistan has enacted laws to combat honor killings. In 2004, a law was introduced making honor killings punishable by a prison term of seven years, or by the death penalty in extreme cases. Further amendments in 2016 aimed to close legal loopholes that allowed perpetrators to evade punishment by seeking forgiveness from family members.