The Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, has taken suo motu notice of the brutal killing of a man and a woman, allegedly murdered in the name of honour, after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
Chief Justice Barrech has summoned the additional chief secretary (Home) and the inspector general of police to appear before the court and provide a briefing on the case on Tuesday.
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.
According to police, a case has been registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The FIR stated that the male and female victims were declared “karokari” (a term used for 'honour killings') in a tribal jirga led by tribal elder Sardar Sherbaz Khan Satakzai. Following the verdict, they were taken in vehicles to a remote area where they were shot dead.
The complainant of the case said the gruesome act was filmed and circulated online, causing fear and panic among the public.
Read More: 11 arrested after couple shot dead in Balochistan over 'honour'
Eleven suspects have been arrested, Balochistan 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.
In a press conference, Bugti said both victims were already married with children. “The woman had five children and her husband’s name is Noor,” he said. “The man was also married and had six children. There was no marital relationship between them.”
The chief minister condemned the killings as “utterly inhumane” and said neither the state nor society would tolerate such acts. “All those involved will be arrested and brought to justice,” he added.
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
Bugti noted that the case had gone viral online, prompting widespread public interest and misinformation. “Many are wrongly reporting that the two were a newly-wed couple. That is simply not true,” he said.
One of the most troubling aspects of the case, Bugti said, was the reluctance of anyone to come forward and file a First Information Report (FIR). “The parents and children of the victims are present, yet no one is registering a case,” he said.
“When police attempt to investigate, men vanish from the area and women pelt stones at officers,” he added. He also revealed that the viral video of the killings was not leaked externally. “This video was not obtained from outside sources. The murderers themselves posted it,” he said.
ڈیگاری قتل کیس ‘ سرفراز بگٹی کی پریس کانفرنس
— Daily Qudrat ( Latest News ) (@DailyQudrat) July 21, 2025
قتل ہونیوالی خاتون اور مرد کے کتنے بچے ہیں ؟ اصل قاتل کون کون ؟ ابتک کتنے لوگوں کو گرفتار کیا جاچکا ہے ؟ وزیر اعلیٰ کا سخت ایکشن ‘ کوئی بچ نہیں پائیگا
کوئٹہ ‘ وزیر اعلیٰ بلوچستان میر سرفراز بگٹی کی پریس کانفرنس ‘ بلوچستان کے علاقے… pic.twitter.com/xrAXhhZdZT
The government, he said, is carrying out a full investigation and intends to present the culprits in court soon. “This is an era where unverified news spreads fast. I urge everyone to verify facts before sharing,” Bugti cautioned.
He further acknowledged that parallel justice systems still influence Pakistani society. “We are part of a culture where jirgas [tribal courts] still operate,” he said. “But the government is taking constitutional action against such systems.”
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