Pakistan Senate Condemns Honour Killing in Balochistan

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The Senate of Pakistan on July 24 unanimously passed a resolution condemning the public execution of a couple in Balochistan, allegedly carried out by a jirga in the name of “honour.” The couple was reportedly killed in broad daylight, sparking national outrage after a video of the incident surfaced online.

The resolution was presented by Senator Sherry Rehman and received strong support from lawmakers across party lines, including Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui, Ali Zafar, Khalida Ateeb, and Samina Mumtaz Zehri. Lawmakers described the act as a gross violation of human rights, the Constitution, and Pakistan’s laws. They emphasized that such killings cannot be justified through cultural or tribal traditions and reaffirmed that the concept of “honour” must never override constitutional and legal protections.

The Senate acknowledged that although legal provisions exist to prevent such crimes, weak enforcement allows these practices to persist, particularly in cases involving women. The resolution called on the government to conduct a transparent and urgent investigation into the killings and ensure that all those involved, including the organizers or endorsers of the jirga, are brought to justice.

This resolution marked a rare instance of unified political action against gender-based violence and extrajudicial punishment. Lawmakers also highlighted the continuing influence of illegal tribal justice systems, which often operate beyond the scope of formal law and can lead to deadly consequences.

The Senate’s action sent a clear message that such extrajudicial practices will not be tolerated. It concluded with a call for full legal accountability for the perpetrators and for any officials who may have failed in their duty to prevent or respond to the crime.

This move reflects a broader demand for institutional reform and stronger enforcement of the rule of law, particularly in rural and tribal areas where customary practices still hold sway.