In a tragic incident highlighting the ongoing scourge of honour killings in Pakistan, police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district reported that a man and a woman were shot dead on Sunday evening in Bashigram, Madyan. According to authorities, the suspect, identified as the woman’s husband, remains at large.
Details of the Swat ‘honour’ killing
The crime was detailed in a first information report (FIR) lodged by a close relative of the deceased woman. The FIR, accessed by Dawn.com, states that the husband suspected his wife of having an illicit relationship with another man. Acting on this suspicion, the suspect first allegedly opened fire on the man, killing him on the spot. He then returned home, shot his wife, and further attacked her with an axe.
Swat police confirmed that the FIR has been registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). A manhunt is underway to locate and arrest the suspect, who fled after committing the double murder.
Police response and investigation
District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Umar Khan has instructed the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Madyan Circle to investigate the case thoroughly, exploring all possible motives and angles. Swat police spokesperson Moin Ali emphasized that no detail will be overlooked in the pursuit of justice.
Pattern of ‘honour’ killings across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
This latest killing underscores a troubling trend of honour crimes reported across KP. On June 15, a couple was killed in Mardan district’s Maulana Kaly Fatma area under similar allegations. That same day, a 17-year-old boy was shot dead in Martung tehsil, also in the name of “honour.”
Earlier, on May 26, another tragic incident unfolded in Upper Dir district, where a man allegedly killed three people, including a child, over ‘honour’-related suspicions.
Rising numbers highlight a national crisis
Statistics from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reveal the ongoing gravity of the issue. In 2024 alone, at least 346 individuals were murdered in honour crimes nationwide, with the highest cases reported in Sindh and Punjab provinces. These figures reflect a slight decrease from previous years, which saw 490 victims in 2023 and 590 in 2022. Nonetheless, the persistence of such crimes shows that deeply rooted societal attitudes continue to put lives at risk.
Urgent need for justice and reform
The continued occurrence of honour killings in Pakistan, particularly targeting women and girls, has drawn strong criticism from human rights groups and advocates. Many demand stricter enforcement of existing laws and swift action against perpetrators to deter future crimes.
As police in Swat intensify their search for the suspect, the case once again highlights the urgent need for legal, social, and cultural reform to protect vulnerable individuals from violence carried out under the guise of ‘honour.’
