Staff Report
PESHAWAR : A young couple was allegedly killed in the name of honour in Balochistan after contracting a marriage of their own choice, prompting strong condemnation from human rights organisations and renewed calls for legislative and administrative action against such killings.
In a statement issued on Monday Advocate Masooma Mir, General Secretary of the Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, termed the incident a “gross violation of fundamental human rights” and urged law enforcement agencies to ensure the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Marriage by choice is not only a constitutional right but also permitted under Islamic teachings,” said Advocate Masooma Mir, adding that the use of violence to suppress this right reflects deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes and a dangerous culture of impunity.
Advocate Masooma Mir called on the state to ensure justice for the victim’s family and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice without delay. “Such individuals must be held accountable under the law to prevent recurrence of these crimes, she stated.
Referring to the slain woman, identified as Sheetal Baloch, Advocate Masooma Mir said her courage in the face of death had exposed the cruelty of societal norms masked as honour.
Watching this brave daughter of the nation walk among her murderers forces us to question: if religion grants women the right to choose their spouse, who are these individuals deciding over life and death?
She further stated This naked display of savagery and ignorance must come to an end. The state must demonstrate the will and capacity to protect its citizens
particularly women from such barbarity.
The HRCP has reiterated its long-standing demand for stronger enforcement of existing laws and a shift in societal attitudes that continue to legitimise honour based violence.
The couple’s murder has reignited debate around women’s autonomy and the state’s failure to adequately prosecute crimes committed under the pretext of honour.
