KARACHI, January 31, 2025: In December 2024, forty year old Rizwana was gunned down in the Karachi Quaidabad area. Upon investigation, police found out that her in laws had been ‘unhappy with her activities’ and may have been involved in the murder – in fact clues led the police to believe that it was killing in the name of honour. In such cases, the victim is not spared even after death. Her family did not even attend the burial, reflecting on societal attitudes around honour killing, and the deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, including in urban settings.
Rizwana’s family had been living in a city, bringing with them regressive values of a rural area and imposing them within an urban setting. But her murder is one of the many in recent years in Pakistan’s largest and most diverse metropolis has witnessed a disturbing rise in honour killings. A new facet shows that a growing number of cases have revealed how rural to urban migration in Sindh has spread this trend in to different areas.
GBV cases break record in Karachi
Women’s rights and human rights activists say that the increase in honour killings is likely to be because of the migration of people from the more conservative rural areas to cities like Karachi. These migrants bring with them their entrenched traditional and patriarchal beliefs, often resulting in violence against women and girls, especially under the guise of preserving family honour.
According to Dr. Aisha Dharejo, Chairperson of the Sindh Sahai Organization, which works against honour killings, Karachi has been witnessing a record breaking number of honour-related murders, harassment cases, and incidents of domestic violence – the highest in Sindh. She emphasizes that despite the legal framework in place, implementation remains weak.
“We are seeing a significant rise in domestic violence in Karachi,” she said while speaking to Voicepk. “Cases of harassment, sexual assault, and honour killings are all increasing. With the influx of communities from rural areas, these incidents are now being reported more frequently. Previously, honour killings were concealed as societal issues and rarely documented. Even in Sindh’s third-largest city, Sukkur, at least 10 women have been killed in honour-related incidents. And these are only the cases that have been registered.”
‘Section 311 left out in most FIRs’
In 2016, Pakistan enacted a law to curb honour killings, aiming to close legal gaps that previously allowed perpetrators to escape justice through forgiveness and reconciliation agreements. Despite the fact that Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) empowers courts to punish murderers – even if the victim’s family pardons them – the law is not being fully implemented. Dr Dharejo claims that in 70% of the cases, Section 311 is ignored, allowing culprits to evade accountability.
“In many cases, the father or uncle of the victim becomes the complainant. However, within days, the matter is taken to a jirga or informal council, where a settlement is reached, and the case is dismissed,” she adds. “The state has imposed a non-compoundable provision under Section 311, but its implementation remains inconsistent. Only about 20 to 30% of cases see this law properly applies.”
450 honour-based killings in two years
Between 2023 – 2024, Sindh recorded 450 cases of honour-based killings. In 2023 alone, 165 women and 65 men were killed, while in 2024, the number of women rose to 180 and around 20 men were murdered. Most of these cases were resolved through out-of-court settlements between the families of the accused and the victims, highlighting the inefficacy of the existing legal framework.
The 2016 legal amendment was introduced to ensure that honour based violence (HBV) cases would be pursued to their logical conclusion, regardless of family ‘forgiveness’. However, Supreme Court lawyer Shaukat Hayat underscores the crucial role of law enforcement and the judiciary in enforcing this legislation.
“The police and judiciary play a key role in these cases,” he said. “If an honour-based killing occurs, it should be treated as a crime against the state. Even if the victim’s family pardons the perpetrator, the court has the authority to convict and sentence them. The law is clear: under Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code, honour killings are considered a crime against society, and the minimum punishment is no less than 14 years in prison. If the evidence is available, the state has the right to challenge any settlement,” explains Shaukat Hayat.
Civil society losing influence due to social resistance
Women’s rights organizations and civil society groups in Pakistan have long been vocal about honour killings. But women’s rights activist, Nuzhat Shireen says their influence appears to be weakening due to systemic barriers and social resistance. Shireen who is the head of the Sindh Commission for the Status of Women, says that while activists continue to raise their voices, the lack of substantial legal amendments and enforcement mechanisms has led to a decline in their impact.
“Civil society has grown weaker over time,” she says. “Previously, organizations would mobilize quickly in response to honour killings. They played a significant role in raising awareness and advocating for legal action. Now, many of these organizations are either inactive or have shifted their focus elsewhere. Meanwhile, political leaders and law enforcement agencies show little interest in tackling the issue. Honour-based killings are still not taken seriously, and women continue to be treated as commodities in society. In the past, a single case of gender-based violence would spark widespread media coverage and protests. Today, such incidents barely receive attention,” she laments.
Need for legal and social reforms
Human rights advocates stress the need for stronger legal amendments and robust implementation mechanisms to eliminate honour killings. Legislative changes should focus on closing loopholes that allow perpetrators to escape punishment through reconciliation. Additionally, law enforcement agencies must be held accountable for ensuring that existing laws are effectively applied.
Moreover, comprehensive awareness campaigns are needed to challenge the deep-seated cultural and patriarchal norms that fuel such violence. Educational institutions, religious leaders, and media organizations must work together to shift societal attitudes and promote gender equality.
This pattern of rising honour based violence in Karachi, needs immediate attention. Weak implementation of existing legislation continues to enable perpetrators to evade justice. Until this is changed, women will continue to be vulnerable.
SOURCE – voicepk.net
