Honor killings on the rise in Pakistan: More than 100 killed in Sindh from January to June, says report | World news

Pakistani news: At least 101 men and women were killed in the name of honor in Pakistan’s Sindh from January to June 2024, Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported, citing figures from the Sindh Suhai Organization, a social and women’s rights body.

The Sindh Suhai Organization expressed concern over the increasing incidents of violence against women, including murder and sexual harassment, in the province. According to the data released by the women’s rights organization on Friday, the majority of honor killings took place in the Jacobabad district of Sindh, where 22 women and 12 men were killed for honor, The Express Tribune reported.

In addition, Kashmore reported the killing of 17 women and 6 men, Sukkur had 23, Khairpur saw 20, Ghotki recorded 19, Larkana experienced 12 and 76 were killed in several other districts in the province.

Several incidents of a similar nature remain unreported, and in cases where the state does register complaints, families of women murdered over perceived dishonor often do not seek legal action. Even when they do, they often reach a compromise later, the report said.

As a result, only a small number of perpetrators are held responsible for honor killings and incidents continue to rise. Despite the court rulings, jirgas (tribal councils) still meet to make decisions on this issue.

Women accused of dishonor are often buried and no action is taken, as families view these incidents as suicides. In one of the incidents that took place recently, a man buried his wife alive after subjecting her to violence. He claimed she fled their home in the Saleh Pat area. An alarming pattern has emerged of two women being murdered at the same time.

For example, according to The Express Tribune report, the killings of Shameem and Lal in Mehrabpur are linked to poverty, lack of education, a culture of banditry, tribal systems and property disputes.

The Suhai organization highlighted that women are sidelined in appointments to various government departments. It called for the appointment of women Station House Officers (SHOs) in the police force and said, “We demand that more women SHOs be appointed in police stations to facilitate women in voicing their issues.”