“Honor” Killings - Murder by Family

 An "honor killing" in Pakistani culture refers to the murder of a family member, usually a woman or girl, by relatives who believe that the victim has brought shame or dishonor upon the family. This perceived dishonor can stem from a range of actions that violate traditional norms, like:

  • Marrying someone of one’s own choice (especially without family approval)

  • Having an alleged or real romantic relationship outside of marriage

  • Dressing or behaving in a way deemed “improper” or “inappropriate"

  • Being a victim of sexual assault (tragically, the victims are blamed)

Honor killings are rooted in patriarchal and tribal traditions, not in religion. In some parts of rural or conservative Pakistan, family reputation is closely tied to the behavior of female family members. When that reputation is perceived to be damaged, some families feel compelled to "restore" their honor through violence and even murder.

  • Pakistan has historically struggled to effectively prosecute honor killings due to loopholes in the legal system

  • However, major reforms were passed in 2016, making it more difficult for perpetrators to escape punishment through forgiveness.

  • Despite legal changes, honor killings still occur, often underreported, due to societal acceptance in some areas, weak enforcement, and fear of retaliation.

While honor killings are a real and serious problem in parts of Pakistan, they are not condoned by Islam, nor are they representative of the values of most Pakistanis. 

Many human rights activists, lawyers, and organizations within the country are actively fighting to eradicate this practice.

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