11 arrested after couple shot dead in Balochistan over 'honour'

Case lodged against all suspected perpetrators, says CM Bugti

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At least 11 suspects were arrested after a video emerged on social media of a woman and a man being shot and killed for marrying against the wishes of their families, in a so-called honour killing, authorities said.

The couple, who were not identified, were shot dead on the orders of a local tribal council last month in Balochistan, according to provincial authorities, who investigated after the video went viral.

Eleven suspects have been arrested, the provincial chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, said in a statement on Monday, hours after he announced that the location and people in the video had been identified.

آپ ڈیٹ: اب تک 11 ملزمان گرفتار کئے جا چکے ہیں، آپریشن جاری ہے۔ تمام ملوث افراد کو کیفرِکردار تک پہنچایا جائے گا۔ ریاست مظلوم کے ساتھ کھڑی ہے! https://t.co/UoU2SDanWY

— Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) July 20, 2025

A case has been registered against all those involved, Bugti said, adding that they will be prosecuted.

The video shows people in a desert, and some pickup trucks and SUVs in which they had apparently been driven there.

The woman is given a copy of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, and she then tells a man: "Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me."

The man then follows her for a few steps.

A local police official said the woman did not cry or seek mercy.

"You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that," the woman says in the regional Brahavi language, translated by the official.

It was not clear what she meant by "nothing more than that".

The man, who had followed her, then aimed a pistol at her as she turned her back to the shooter.

The woman, wrapped in a shawl, stood still as shots were fired. She remained standing after two shots, delivered from close range, dropping to the ground after the third shot.

That is followed by a series of gunshots. The footage then shows a bloodied man lying on the ground, close to the woman's body. Then, men are shown shooting at both the bodies.

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said that in 2024, there were at least 405 "honour killings", criticising the authorities for failing to stamp out these crimes.

Most victims are women, and the killings are usually carried out by relatives professing to defend their family's reputation, human rights groups say.

Read: Brutal 'honour killing' caught on video sparks nationwide outrage

Leaders condemn 'honour' killing

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called the suspects “beasts” and said they deserved no concessions.

Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted Bilawal as saying “I have faith that the criminals involved in this murder will be brought to justice soon”.

“This murder should be a test case for the Balochistan government, as it is gender terrorism.”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also reacted to the video, which shows a tribal council ordering the killing of a man and woman for marrying without family consent.

In a post on X, Asif addressed the people of Balochistan: “Those who have taken up arms against the state — start by raising your voice against the unjust system that surrounds you.”

جن لوگوں نے ریاست کیخلاف بندوق ا ٹھائ ھوئی ھے۔ وہ پہلے اس نظام کے خلاف آواز اٹھائیں جو آپکے آس پاس رائج ھے۔ سارا پاکستان آپکے ساتھ کھڑا ھو گا۔اس ظلم کے نظام کے ذمہ دار آپکے بھائ بند ھیں ۔ دوسرے صوبوں سے آۓ مسافر اور روزی روٹی کمانے والے مزدور نہیں ھیں جن نہتوں کو آپ گولیاں مارتے… pic.twitter.com/C8h1Skov8V

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) July 20, 2025

He added, “The ones responsible for this oppression are your own brothers, not the travellers and labourers from other provinces,” referencing a recent bus attack in Kalat district that left three people dead.

PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman also condemned the incident, calling it an “unforgivable crime.”

“Crushing the right to marry is a violation of fundamental human rights,” Rehman posted on X. “Killing in the name of tribal decisions is a despicable act. The cycle of brutality in the name of honour must be stopped.”

Update by CM Balochistan @PakSarfrazbugti on his X account says that eleven of the perpetrators who colluded in this heinous crime have been arrested. He will not rest until they have all been tracked down.
Chairman PPP @BBhuttoZardari has also unequivocally condemned the murder… https://t.co/5548EhF7Ok

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) July 20, 2025

“By mercilessly killing the married couple, not only have law and justice been insulted, but the authority of the provincial government has also been challenged,” she added. “The chapter of oppression and barbarism under the guise of jirgas must be closed.”