A suspect has been arrested in connection with the honor killing of a couple in Balochistan after a harrowing video of the incident circulated on social media, prompting nationwide outrage and renewed calls for justice and protection of human rights.
The disturbing video shows armed men shooting a couple who reportedly married of their own choice — an act considered taboo in certain tribal customs. According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, the incident occurred around the Eid Al-Adha holiday. He confirmed that the location had been identified and that law enforcement was acting swiftly:
“Both families did not report the crime. The state will become the complainant,” said Rind, adding that raids are underway to arrest remaining suspects.
Reports indicate that the couple was executed following a decision by a tribal jirga, a local council of elders, known to operate outside Pakistan’s formal judicial system.
Read More: “No One Heard Her Cry”: Humaira Asghar Ali’s Lonely Death Sparks Industry Outrage
The Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) strongly condemned the killing, declaring it “un-Islamic, anti-Sharia, and a form of terrorism.” The council demanded that the perpetrators be charged under anti-terrorism laws and tried at the crime scene itself to send a clear message against such acts.
“Those responsible must face the Anti-Terrorism Court. There can be no leniency,” the PUC said in a statement.
So-called honor killings remain prevalent in Pakistan, with dozens of cases reported annually, especially in remote areas. Activists argue that weak enforcement of laws and societal silence around such incidents contribute to the ongoing crisis.
