Man Allegedly Murders Wife in Rawalpindi for ‘Honour’

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On July 25, 2025, an alleged honour killing case emerged in Rawalpindi’s Pirwadhai area, where a man named Zia is accused of murdering his wife, SG, with assistance from relatives. This tragic incident violates her fundamental right to life and underscores the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence in Pakistan, demanding urgent reforms to protect women’s human rights.

Zia initially filed a First Information Report (FIR), claiming that SG, whom he married earlier this year, had eloped with cash and jewellery following a domestic dispute. He later alleged that she had married another man named Usman. However, police investigations revealed that SG was forcibly taken back and allegedly killed, with her body secretly buried to conceal the crime, according to statements made by senior law enforcement officials to The Express Tribune. This case reflects a broader human rights challenge in Pakistan, where patriarchal norms linking family honour to women’s behaviour continue to facilitate such violence.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reported 405 honour killings in 2024, with women disproportionately targeted, often as punishment for perceived transgressions of traditional social roles. Despite laws such as Sections 302 (murder) and 311 (abetment of suicide) of the Pakistan Penal Code, which provide for strict penalties against honour killings, enforcement remains weak, allowing many perpetrators to avoid accountability.

Human rights activists have condemned this case and the broader phenomenon of honour killings, calling for an end to impunity and extra-judicial practices often enforced through tribal jirgas. The HRCP’s spokesperson Harris Khalique described these acts as “medieval tyranny” and urged authorities to implement stronger legal measures to ensure women’s safety and uphold their rights.

This incident highlights the urgent need for systemic reform in Pakistan’s approach to gender-based violence. Deeply entrenched patriarchal customs, frequently supported by tribal councils, continue to deny women their dignity and security. The government must strengthen judicial mechanisms, ensure prompt prosecutions, and invest in public education initiatives aimed at dismantling harmful cultural norms. Community-led programs are also critical to providing protection and empowerment to vulnerable women.

SG’s alleged murder is a grave reminder of the persistent human rights violations faced by women in Pakistan. It is imperative that the state acts decisively to enforce existing laws, challenge societal acceptance of honour killings, and safeguard the right to life for all women, ensuring that justice prevails over outdated traditions.