Honour killings in Pakistan: Court demands urgent action against growing violence
A Pakistani court has raised serious alarm over the growing number of honour killings in the country, calling the practice "uncivilised, barbaric, and abominable".
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has urged the state to take immediate and firm action against those responsible, warning that failure to act could push society towards chaos.
In a strongly worded ruling, Justice Nisar Ahmed Bhanbhro said honour killings — a form of violence often committed under the guise of defending family honour — were rising at an alarming rate and must be stopped before they lead to "total anarchy."
The judge said the killing of women based on suspicion or false accusations has stained society, especially as many victims are denied the chance to defend themselves.
The SHC made these observations while rejecting the appeal of Ghulam Mustafa, who had been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife in the name of honour in Kashmore in April 2023.
The court not only upheld his life sentence but also added 14 years under Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), classifying the offence as ''Fasad fil Arz'' —a concept in Islamic law referring to acts that spread corruption or mischief in society. The court highlighted that honour killings are often based on flimsy allegations, particularly accusations of illicit relationships, and are frequently used to settle personal disputes or family feuds.
'In many cases, women are killed to target a rival man, and then a local jirga or community meeting gives a pardon to the killer under the excuse of defending family honour,' the judge noted.
Justice Bhanbhro stressed that Islamic teachings do not support such killings. 'No school of Islamic thought allows citizens to take the law into their own hands,' he said, adding that the state must protect every citizen's life and liberty and to punish those who violate the law. Pakistan continues to face a significant challenge in curbing honour-based violence.
Despite the passage of stricter laws in recent years, including the 2016 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act aimed at closing legal loopholes, implementation has been weak. Many cases go unreported, and social pressures often prevent victims' families from seeking justice.
Activists say that honour killings are deeply rooted in patriarchal traditions and a lack of legal accountability. 'Until communities stop seeing honour as something that justifies murder, and until the legal system ensures real punishment, these crimes will continue,' said a Karachi-based human rights advocate.
The court emphasised that karo-kari — the local term for honour killings—is not just a cultural issue but a criminal offence. Importantly, the SHC ruled that such cases cannot be settled or pardoned by the family of the victim, particularly when they fall under the category of
''Fasad fil Arz''.
'These crimes affect not only individuals but the entire society,' the court stated.
The SHC ruling is seen as a major step in acknowledging the seriousness of honour-based violence and pushing for stronger enforcement of laws. It also serves as a reminder of the broader social and legal challenges Pakistan faces in protecting vulnerable communities, especially women.
With courts taking a firmer stance, many hope this could signal a turning point. But without consistent action from law enforcement, lawmakers, and community leaders, the path to eliminating honour killings remains long and uncertain.
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