Whenever a woman is killed in the name of “honour” in Pakistan, our hearts shudder for a moment-social media flares with outrage. Headlines scream in the newspapers. And then – everything returns to normal, as if nothing ever happened. Honour killings in Pakistan are not a new affliction. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 590 such cases were reported in 2022, 490 in 2023, and at least 346 by mid-2024 – with most of the victims being women. In 2024 alone, 392 women were reportedly murdered. Disturbingly, 185 men also lost their lives in similar incidents. And since most cases go unreported, the real figures are likely far worse.

From the infamous 2012 and 2019 Kohistan cases – where girls were allegedly buried alive – to brutal customs like vani and swara, and the shocking murder of Qandeel Baloch, the idea of “honour” has long been weaponised by the tribal and feudal power structures in Pakistan. The High Court may have declared tribal jirga rulings unconstitutional in 2019, but these parallel power centres remain active – and lethal – at the grassroots level. These numbers testify to a chilling reality: that “honour” in Pakistan is not just a toxic notion – it’s a tool of oppression, especially against women. Globally, around 5,000 women are murdered each year under this pretext. In Pakistan, this silent killer thrives within us.

It is astonishing that Articles 4 and 25 of Pakistan’s Constitution guarantee protection to every citizen, regardless of gender. But do these constitutional protections apply in Balochistan’s tribal belts?

A close look at Balochistan reveals a disturbing picture: sardars, tribal jirgas, and panchayats operate like shadow governments – deciding matters of life, death, and dignity, all outside the scope of Pakistan’s constitution. The state, meanwhile, stands helpless........

© Daily Times