“Whoever kills a person-unless for murder or spreading corruption in the land-it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved all of humanity.” – (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32)
Outrage over honor killings has spread throughout Pakistan once more. These violent crimes, which frequently target young women, are carried out in the name of “family honor”, a notion that still claims the lives of innocent people. Honor killings, which were previously believed to be restricted to rural regions, are now occurring in urban areas as well, demonstrating how pervasive and ingrained the issue is in society. These actions hurt not only families but the entire country and violate fundamental human rights.
The rising number of honor killings across Pakistan reveals a deeply troubling reality: victims are no longer limited to rural or tribal areas, nor are they safe in the heart of urban centers. Increasingly, young women are being targeted simply for asserting their individuality -whether through social media, friendships, or personal choices. Recent incidents in Balochistan, and Capital underscore how widespread and unchecked this violence has become. Among the most chilling cases are the brutal murder of Banu Bibi and Ehsan Ullah in Dagari, Balochistan, the killing of 15-year-old TikToker Hira Anwar in Quetta, and the tragic death of Sana Yousuf, another TikToker, in Islamabad.
The violence is not confined to one province or demographic. Just a month later, in June 2025, Fatima, an 18-year-old girl in metropolitan city Karachi, was murdered by her father merely for being seen with a male acquaintance. He surrendered himself, claiming it was an act of “honour.” These brutal incidents reveal that honor-based violence is not exclusive to Pakistan’s tribal belts – it thrives in urban settings too. Wherever “honor” becomes a mask for control, such tragedies can occur.
Islam is extremely clear about how important human life is. Killing one innocent person is equivalent to killing all of humanity, according to the Holy Quran. Honor is never a good reason to commit murder. The Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) put an end to the barbaric custom of burying females alive before the advent of Islam and vehemently denounced the maltreatment of women. Islam did not come to oppress women, but to protect them.
Sadly, a lot of people abuse religion and tribal traditions to defend honor killings. They incorrectly assert that Shariah condones these behaviors. Islamic law never permits personal retaliation under the pretense of religious obligation, even if it contains ideas like Qisas (retribution) and Diyat (blood money). With the 2016 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, Pakistan outlawed honor killings, however enforcement is still lax. Because of pressure or fear, families frequently forgive the murderer, typically a male relative, allowing them to avoid punishment. Particularly in rural or tribal areas, like in sections of Balochistan, where local customs supersede state legislation, police are frequently reluctant to become involved.
Honor killings persist for a variety of reasons. Rather of treating women as human beings with rights, patriarchal ideologies view them as symbols of family honor. Women are more vulnerable when they lack access to economic possibilities, mental health help, shelters, and education, particularly for girls. Their life may be at danger if they use social media, pick a spouse, or just want independence.
Pakistan requires significant reforms to end this unfairness. To behave impartially, police must receive training on human rights and gender sensitivity. Honor killings should be treated by the law as crimes that families cannot overlook. Regardless of social pressure, courts must guarantee that justice is done. Education is essential; from a young age, schools must teach students about equality, respect, and fundamental human rights.
Religious authorities need to make it clear that these atrocities are not tolerated in Islam. Mosques should be used to spread the word about honor killings. The media has an obligation as well. In addition to conducting programs to alter detrimental cultural attitudes, it must responsibly report these incidents, without exalting murderers or placing blame on victims. To assist women, the government ought to establish shelters, legal help offices, and skill-training initiatives. All honor killing cases should be tracked by databases, which should also guarantee judicial follow-up.
Above all, a cultural change is needed in Pakistan. We need to reinterpret “honor” to imply not controlling a woman’s life but honoring her rights and choices. Every murder committed in the name of honor results in a loss for the country. Instead of pride, these offenses cause humiliation. Allowing such violence is in direct opposition to Islam’s core principles of compassion, justice, and life.
The time has come to say enough. Let’s create a culture where women are secure, justice is served, and honor translates into dignity. “Whoever kills a person [unjustly]… it is as though he has killed all mankind,” the Quran states. And it is considered that the one who saves a life has saved all of humanity. For the sake of every Pakistani daughter’s future, safety, and dignity, action must be taken immediately.
Despite legislative changes and forward-thinking court rulings, the concerning rise in honor killings highlights a structural inability to eliminate deeply ingrained patriarchal systems in society. In order to ensure the effective enforcement of criminal liability, deterrence through penal sanctions, and the supremacy of the rule of law, urgent, multifaceted legislative, institutional, and sociocultural intervention is required in response to this serious violation of fundamental rights, including the right to life and dignity guaranteed by Article 9 of the Pakistani Constitution which secures life if its citizens.
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