Honour Killings in Baluchistan: A Persistent Challenge to Pakistan's Rule of Law

The recent execution of a young couple, Bano Bibi and Ahsan Ullah, in Baluchistan by a local tribal jirga has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for reform to address the issue of honour killings. The incident highlights the complex interplay between traditional tribal practices and the rule of law in Pakistan, where the state's institutions often fail to sustain the constitutional rights of individuals, particularly women. The tragedy underscores the need for a systematic change in laws, particularly the decommissioning of parallel jirga control, to prevent such incidents from becoming a norm.

Key Takeaways:

• The case of Bano Bibi and Ahsan Ullah's honour killing exposes the weakness of the state's institutions in enforcing the rule of law in rural areas, where jirgas continue to wield significant influence.
• Honour killings are a persistent challenge to Pakistan's rule of law, with 32 reported cases in Baluchistan and 405 documented cases nationwide in 2024.
• The laws against honour killings, such as the Criminal Law Act (Amendment) of 2004 and 2016, have not been effectively implemented, resulting in low conviction rates and impunity for perpetrators.
• The provincial and federal governments have taken steps to condemn the killings and urge an honest inquiry, but more needs to be done to address the systemic issues that enable honour violence.
• Personal stories of activists like Sammi Deen Baloch and other female activists in Balochistan are crucial in spreading awareness and promoting rights activism.

Statistics:

• 32 reported honour killings in Baluchistan in 2024, with only one conviction.
• 405 documented honour killings nationwide in 2024, with activists emphasizing that the figure is heavily underreported.
• Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan prohibits discrimination based on sex.

Sources:

• "FIR registered under anti-terror law" (Source: Dawn)
• "Baluchistan Assembly passes resolution condemning honour killing" (Source: The Express Tribune)
• "Pakistan's Senate passes resolution condemning honour killing" (Source: Pakistan Today)
• "Honour killings: A National Crisis" (Source: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan)