Mother of Degari murder victim sent to jail
In a significant development in the Degari double murder case, police have obtained DNA samples from Gul Jan, the mother of the slain woman, Bano Bibi. The sampling was conducted on the request of the Serious Crime Investigation Wing.
Following the conclusion of her two-day police remand, Gul Jan was produced before an Anti-Terrorism Court, which ordered her to be sent to jail.
According to police officials, Gul Jan was taken into custody after a video surfaced in which she appeared to justify her daughter's killing as a form of "punishment" under Balochi tribal customs. The statement drew widespread public condemnation and is being treated as a key element in the investigation.
The case drew national attention after a man and a woman were brutally murdered in the Didi area of Degari. A graphic video of the killings went viral on social media, triggering outrage and demands for swift justice from civil society, journalists, and the legal fraternity.
The Balochistan High Court took suo motu notice of the incident and directed senior police officials to submit a detailed report. Investigations remain ongoing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Beyond honour: reclaiming justice and humanity in Pakistan
In the heart of Baluchistan, a crowd gathered, watching in silence as two young lives were ended in the name of 'honour.' Their only crime: being accused of bringing shame. This was not a hidden act, but a public spectacle, a chilling reminder that in Pakistan, 'honour' can still become a licence to kill. But my question is how many more lives must be lost before we admit that 'honour' has become a weapon, not a virtue? Each year, the silent toll of honour killings grows in lives cut short, families shattered, and justice denied. This is not just a statistic; it is a national emergency that demands our collective conscience and urgent action. Most often, it is women who pay the highest price. In Pakistan, the concept of 'honour' leads to the tragic loss of countless women each year, reflecting a persistent tradition that presents serious obstacles to justice and human rights. Honour killings, defined as the murder of women to protect family reputation, remain a troubling form of gender-based violence in Pakistan. Taking on responsibility often brings a sense of authority, as legal consequences are often insufficient and societal norms prioritize family reputation over individual rights. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan recorded around 1,961 honour killings from 2004 to 2022, but the actual numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting. Section 299 of the Pakistan Penal Code defines honour killing as an offence aimed at preserving honour. Sections 300 and 302 categorize it as murder and specify the punishment. Despite the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2004 and the Anti-Honour Killing Act 2016 aiming to make these offences non-compoundable and state matters, notable loopholes remain. The Qisas and Diyat law illustrates this clearly, allowing pardons and reducing accountability, as seen in the Qandeel Baloch case. In various regions of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, informal justice mechanisms such as jirgas are crucial for resolving disputes, particularly in contexts where formal opportunities are restricted. Nonetheless, these forums are largely characterized by a male presence, with a notable lack of representation for women. This gap is more than just a theoretical idea. In March 1999, a troubling incident occurred involving a 16-year-old girl in Parachinar, who was sent back to her tribe after being raped. The jirga determined she had dishonoured her tribe, leading to her execution in front of tribal members. Honour killings occur in various settings, not limited to tribal or rural areas. Samia Sarwar, 29, was shot dead in her lawyer's office in Lahore while pursuing a divorce. Her own mother, a medical professional, was involved in the heartbreaking choice to end a life. Honour killings are wrongly justified by religion, yet neither the Quran nor Hadith endorses these actions. Islam strictly forbids the taking of innocent lives (Surah An-Nisa 4:93), and religious authorities consistently denounce honour killings, emphasizing that justice belongs to the legal system. The actions stem from enduring customs that emphasize patriarchal control over women's autonomy, rather than authentic religious beliefs, as shown by their absence in many Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees key rights, including the right to life and liberty (Article 9) and protections for women (Article 25). The leniency in honour killing cases dates back to British colonial rule. The 1990 amendments incorporated Islamic principles like Qisas and Diyat into the legal system, allowing for family pardons. The 2004 and 2016 Acts strengthened the judicial system by making honour killings non-compoundable. The legal system has flaws; courts sometimes grant exceptions, and victims' families may choose to forgive offenders. The Qandeel Baloch case illustrates ongoing challenges, as her brother was initially sentenced but later acquitted by the Lahore High Court due to procedural issues. This situation reveals ongoing problems in the criminal justice system, including blood pardons, poorly crafted legislation, and narrow legal interpretations. The Constitution of Pakistan ensures important rights, such as the right to life and liberty (Article 9), along with provisions for the protection of women (Article 25). Historically, the leniency observed in cases of honour killings can be traced back to the era of British colonial rule. The amendments of 1990 brought Islamic principles such as qisas and diyat into the legal framework, permitting family pardons. In contrast, the Acts of 2004 and 2016 reinforced the judicial system by rendering honour killings non-compoundable. Nonetheless, the legal system is not without its flaws, as courts occasionally grant exceptions or victims' families choose to forgive offenders. The Qandeel Baloch case, where her brother was initially sentenced but later acquitted by the Lahore High Court due to procedural issues, exemplifies these persistent challenges. This situation highlights persistent issues within the criminal justice system, such as blood pardons, inadequately developed legislation, and restrictive interpretations of the law. Pakistan has made commitments to numerous international conventions and treaties, which require the country to protect women's rights and tackle gender-based violence in a meaningful way. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) stand as essential pillars in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice worldwide. Pakistan must eliminate discriminatory practices and ensure equal protection for women as per these agreements. Pakistan, as an Islamic state, promotes spiritual equality for both men and women. Islam forbids intentional killing, including honour killings, asserting that justice belongs to Allah or the courts. Islam promotes ethical principles for all individuals and prohibits causing harm or taking the life of a woman for failing to fulfil expectations. The Quran's guidance is applicable to all genders. The antiquated notion that ties family honour exclusively to the behaviour of women and rationalizes violence needs to be reformed. These actions are a more significant wrongdoing than the one under scrutiny. Education, awareness, and open dialogue are crucial for dismantling these harmful conventions. Elders, teachers, and religious leaders must define the true meanings of Islam and the law. The recent tragedy in Baluchistan, the murder of Qandeel Baloch, and the killing of a 13-year-old girl in Bolan district highlight the critical necessity for justice in Pakistan to be both inclusive and compassionate. Honour killings should be firmly denounced, no matter where they originate, whether from a jirga, family, or misguided customs. To put an end to violence and ensure justice, it is essential to uphold the law, rectify existing gaps, and shift societal attitudes and beliefs. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sri Lanka arrests ex-navy chief
Sri Lankan investigators arrested a former navy chief on Monday over the abduction and disappearance of a suspect 15 years ago, a police officer told AFP. Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne was taken into custody over the disappearance in 2010, when he headed the Directorate of Naval Intelligence, said a detective who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to media. Ulugetenne, who also served as Sri Lanka's ambassador to Cuba following his retirement from the navy in December 2022, was remanded in custody until Wednesday. "We recorded a statement from him regarding the disappearance of a 48-year-old man in 2010 and he was later arrested," he said. Ulugetenne's arrest comes after an investigation into another former navy chief, Wasantha Karannagoda, which drew attention to extrajudicial killings during Sri Lanka's 37-year Tamil separatist war. The killings have been raised at consecutive UN Human Rights Council meetings, which have called for independent investigations into atrocities committed during the separatist conflict. AFP
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Six crushed to death In India temple stampede
Listen to article At least six people were crushed to death at a popular Hindu temple in northern India's Uttarakhand state on Sunday, officials said, after a massive crowd surge. The stampede occurred on the stairway leading to the Mansa Devi temple in the Hindu holy city of Haridwar, on the banks of the Ganges river, and left many injured. "Six dead and more than 10 injured are admitted to the hospital," senior city police official Parmendra Dobhal told AFP. प्रदेश सरकार मनसा देवी मंदिर मार्ग पर हुए हृदय विदारक हादसे के घायलों और मृतकों के परिजनों के साथ खड़ी है। हादसे की मजिस्ट्रियल जांच के निर्देश दे दिए गए हैं। — Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) July 27, 2025 Uttarkhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said relief and rescue operations were underway. "I am constantly in touch with the local administration regarding this matter and continuous monitoring of the situation is being done," he said in a statement. Also Read: Drone debris disrupts trains, suspends flights in Volgograd Deadly stampedes and crowd crushes are a common occurrence at Indian religious festivals. In June, a sudden crowd surge at a Hindu festival in the coastal state of Odisha triggered a stampede that killed at least three people and injured several others. The previous month six people were crushed to death in the western state of Goa after thousands gathered for a popular fire-walking ritual. And in January, at least 30 people were killed in an early morning crush at the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu mega-festival in the northern city of Prayagraj.
