ISLAMABAD: Two people were shot dead Tuesday in Pakistan’s picturesque Swat hill station, allegedly due to an “illicit relationship, highlighting the country’s struggle with honor-based violence.
According to police, a young man from Maniyar village was shot dead after entering a home. The homeowner’s brother was also wounded in the firing and later succumbed to injuries in hospital.
The killings, described by police as honour-related, reflect a persistent issue in rural Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal areas. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reported 531 honour killings nationwide from Jan to Nov 2024, with 346 women and 185 men targeted. These acts, often tied to cultural notions of family honour, stem from perceived violations like refusing arranged marriages or extramarital ties.
“This (Tuesday’s) incident is a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched patriarchal norms fuel violence,” said an HRCP spokesperson. Despite legal reforms in 2016 criminalising honour killings, lenient sentencing and societal acceptance persist. HRCP has called for stricter judicial enforcement and education campaigns to challenge hidebound notions.
International groups echo these concerns. Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to close legal loopholes, such as provisions allowing families to pardon perpetrators, which undermine justice. Human Rights Watch advocates gender equality initiatives to erode the cultural roots of honour-based violence . “No one should die for so-called honour. Pakistan must act decisively to protect lives,” said a Human Rights Watch representative.
Residents of Swat’s Barikot, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, expressed mixed sentiments. “Such incidents are common here, but they tear communities apart,” one said. Others defended such attacks, citing tradition and highlighting the uphill battle for reform.
The latest attack has reignited a debate over how to address honour killings. Experts suggest community engagement, alongside legal accountability, to shift attitudes. “Change starts with dialogue and education. Rural areas need outreach to understand these acts as crimes, not justice,” said Dr Amina Khan, a Peshawar-based sociologist.
According to police, a young man from Maniyar village was shot dead after entering a home. The homeowner’s brother was also wounded in the firing and later succumbed to injuries in hospital.
The killings, described by police as honour-related, reflect a persistent issue in rural Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal areas. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reported 531 honour killings nationwide from Jan to Nov 2024, with 346 women and 185 men targeted. These acts, often tied to cultural notions of family honour, stem from perceived violations like refusing arranged marriages or extramarital ties.
“This (Tuesday’s) incident is a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched patriarchal norms fuel violence,” said an HRCP spokesperson. Despite legal reforms in 2016 criminalising honour killings, lenient sentencing and societal acceptance persist. HRCP has called for stricter judicial enforcement and education campaigns to challenge hidebound notions.
International groups echo these concerns. Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to close legal loopholes, such as provisions allowing families to pardon perpetrators, which undermine justice. Human Rights Watch advocates gender equality initiatives to erode the cultural roots of honour-based violence . “No one should die for so-called honour. Pakistan must act decisively to protect lives,” said a Human Rights Watch representative.
Residents of Swat’s Barikot, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, expressed mixed sentiments. “Such incidents are common here, but they tear communities apart,” one said. Others defended such attacks, citing tradition and highlighting the uphill battle for reform.
The latest attack has reignited a debate over how to address honour killings. Experts suggest community engagement, alongside legal accountability, to shift attitudes. “Change starts with dialogue and education. Rural areas need outreach to understand these acts as crimes, not justice,” said Dr Amina Khan, a Peshawar-based sociologist.
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