Colombo, March 15 (NationPress) The relentless occurrence of honour killings in Pakistan highlights a legal framework that has consistently provided an escape route for offenders disguised as religious justice.

Incidents from various provinces and social strata reveal a disconcerting reality – even with legal changes and public indignation, these horrific acts remain deeply embedded within Pakistan's societal norms, according to a recent report.

“A decade has elapsed since the shocking murder of social media influencer Qandeel Baloch, a victim of an 'honour' killing initiated by her brother. Her death sent shockwaves through Pakistan and catalyzed legal reforms that classified honour killings as crimes against humanity, compelling law enforcement to register such incidents under Sections 302 and 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Despite the amendments made in 2016, the violence has not diminished. In fact, it has become more conspicuous and audacious,” the report published in the Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror remarked.

“Key contributors to the ongoing prevalence of 'honour/dishonour' ideologies, perceived to reside within women's bodies, include patriarchy, sexism, rising misogyny, and toxic masculinity prevalent in Pakistani culture,” it noted.

Referring to a US-based advocacy organization, Human Rights Watch, the report indicated that approximately 1,000 women are killed annually in Pakistan under the pretense of honour—a number that has remained relatively stable despite legislative reforms.

In July 2025, a disturbing video circulated online, depicting the execution of a young woman and a man who had wed against their families' wishes, with the unnamed couple reportedly shot on the orders of a tribal jirga in Balochistan.

“The footage was horrifying: the woman, draped in a shawl, stood still as a man shot at her from close range. She remained standing after two shots, collapsing only after the third. Soon after, the camera revealed a bloodied man lying near her. Gunmen continued to fire at both victims as they lay on the ground. This video ignited national fury, with hashtags like 'Justice For Couple' and 'Honour Killing' trending throughout Pakistan,” the report elaborated.

“In parliament, senators denounced the murders and called for action against those behind the jirga, cautioning that the lack of accountability for such illicit justice systems only fosters further violence. These killings highlighted the state's inability to safeguard its citizens in regions like Balochistan, where tribal authorities fill the void left by ineffective judiciary and policing,” it further noted.

Emphasizing the menace of honour killings in Pakistan, the report stated, “The reality is that the state's negligence has permitted jirgas to thrive in areas beyond its jurisdiction. Rather than upholding the law, the government has spent the past year undermining the judiciary and even considering the revival of jirgas in previously tribal regions.”