Honor killings has been a part of patriarchal cultures for centuries however it is in the 21st of century when the custom has become very prominent and open to many. It is now that many reforms both legislative and cultural have been made to help diminish the practice. However the gruesome tradition still remains active in many societies with minor or no punishment. The issue being a habitual convention in our country have had its up and down in the statistics however less or more it still stains the reputation.
As per the United Nations Population fund nearly 5000 cases of honor killings of women are reported each year worldwide. Out of which 50% of the killings occur in India and Pakistan. This section of document comprises of honor killing statistics in our country for us to understand in depth its prevalence and prominence.
Honor Killing Reported Cases in Pakistan:
Based on the honor killings fact there is a clear picture of unfortunate rate of honor killings taking place in each province of Pakistan. The execution however common in almost all the areas may be at a rise in couple of respective ones. below you will find the list of Honor killing reported cases by provinces in Pakistan.
Punjab:
It very alarming to realized that in the last decade honor killing is noted to be at high rise in Punjab especially in cities like Faisalabad and Multan.
According to a report released by punjab police in 2014 highest number of honor killings cases with almost 404 woman murdered in to save family’s honor were reported in punjab alone.
Based on the statistics and data related to honor killings it can be very easily said that 30 to 40 percent of honor killings are executed in punjab each year. It’s hard to believe that moreover 175 honor killing cases came across reported in the initial months of 2018 only in the province of punjab. Studies have shown that most of these killings are caused because of land disputes or brawls based on everyday issues. Due to the rise in honor killing in the province a bill was passed by Punjab assembly which states that anyone executing murder in the name of honor with face a death penalty provided that he is not pardoned by the victims family, however the accused will still have to indulge in 12 years of imprisonment.
Balochistan:
This is the province which is known for lesser number of cases reported, however the statistics of honor killings in Balochistan cannot be relied on completely, as numerous honor killings are gone unreported. Balochistan is a province that is still enslaved by the traditional norms of the culture, honor for the tribemens means the world as they say ‘jaan chali jaye per izzat na jaye’ is the motto they believe in, therefore having the liberty of filing a report against the doers of honor killings is also something subjected as the disgrace of the community.
As per the National Commission on the Status of Woman (NCSW) from 1997 to 2003 43% of honor killings in Pakistan occured in Balochistan. In 2016 as less 31 cases of honor killings were reported from the region.
Rukhshanda Naz being a expert of human rights believes that the statistics of honor killings in balochistan are highly underrated because of the simple fact that the tribal culture does not encourage women to report the cases.
Sindh:
Sindh the land known for its cultural heritage remains one of the most affected by honor killings. One of the core causes of honor killings especially in the rural segment of the province is the phenomenon of feudalism which has directly lead to preach men that woman are their authority and responsible for maintaining the honor of the community. Karachi and Hyderabad being the big cities of the province have experienced rise in the crime in the last decade too.
As per the report by Sindh Woman Development Department since July of 2017 till date about 1643 cases for violence against woman have been reported out of which 38% is believed to be a measure of honor killings. A detailed survey report by Peterian Human Rights Organization declared at in 2016 63 cases of honor killings were reported out of which 12 rooted from Jacobabad alone. The Chairman of PHRO Ihsan Ali Khoso stated that these cases are happening mainly in northern region of the province where the tribal customs are still deeply practiced.
In 2001 a general survey was conducted by Sindh Journalist Network for UN that showed that 50% of honor killings in Sindh were carried out by the husbands, 19% by the brother, 6% by their sons and 4% by uncles, fathers relatives etc.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Very much like Balochistan, NWFP seems to have the lowest rate of honor killings in the state. However cultural values of both the provinces are not diverse enough leading to a supposition that the dominant tribal system does not approve of woman or their family’s reporting about the incidents. Another reason why the statistics in the particular regions are consistent is because f the fact that traditionally honor killings are not considered to be crime, mindsets do not recognize the practice as one deserving of punishment rather it is believed to not talk about the issue to help maintain the lost honor of the family.
However many prominent cases of honor killings over the years are also reported from the district of out of those has to be of Aymen Udas an Pashtun singer who was shot dead by two of her very own brothers in Peshawar in 2009.
In 2016 44 cases of honor killings alone were reported from the province. However the crime seems to be at rise in KP as stated by the Samia Munir Representing Aurat Foundation in Peshawar in January of 2017 , 21 cases of honor killings were reported and also the crime has its major prevalence in district of Chitral and Malakand.
According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan from the year 2011 to 2017 390 cases of honor killings were reported with Peshawar taking the unfortunate lead with 71 cases.
It’s unfortunate to realize the massive impact of the dreadful execution annually in the country. By the facts and a reported per Human Rights Commission of Pakistan over 1000 cases of honor killings are reported. Even with the anti honor killing law amendment in 2016 the prevalence seems to continue.
Muhammad Usman Awan is a Blogger and Social Entrepreneur who founded first Anti Harassment Awareness Campaign “Stop Harassment Now”. The Purpose of this campaign is to empower and educate our Girls and Working Women against Harassment.
