Slow progress: PCSW urges expediting Kohistan video case

Five women were reportedly murdered on May 30, 2012 over a video showing them clapping and singing at a wedding.

The Provincial Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) urged the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday to expedite the investigation of the killing of five women over a video scandal in Kohistan.

Five Kohistani women were reportedly murdered on May 30, 2012 over a video showing them clapping and singing at a wedding.

The commission expressed serious concerns over the slow progress in the case, according to a press release issued by PCSW.

“Confirmations have already been made by prominent figures of the society, including social activists and religious leaders about the killings last year,” said PCSW Chairperson Neelum Toru. “After the widespread coverage in the media and the Supreme Court’s suo motu notice, the issue should have been resolved. The authorities are requested to prevent killing of innocent people, especially on such a baseless issue as clapping to a song.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2014.