A man who killed his daughter to save ‘family’s honour’ in Lahore was acquitted by a court recently after he pardoned himself and his accomplices — a son and a nephew, according to a report published in the local media.
Despite the Anti-Honour Killing Laws 2015 which was recently passed by parliament orders for strict punishment for an honour crime convict even if a family member pardons him.
While recording his statement in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Nadia Ikram Malik, the accused, Faqeer Muhammad, not only pardoned himself but also his son and nephew who were his accomplices in the case.
Faqeer Muhammad had shot his daughter Kiran Bibi and her alleged lover, Ghulam Abbas, ‘to save family honour’ in 2014. His son, Muhammad Illyas, and nephew, Muhammad Tahir, were also accused of assisting the double murders.
“The deceased, Kiran Bibi, was my real daughter. She was unmarried at the time of her murder. There are no other legal heirs of the deceased except her mother, Bushra Bibi, and me,” the accused said in a statement.
“I have forgiven the accused in the name of Almighty Allah, and have no objection to their acquittal. I also waive my right of Qisas (retribution) and Diyat (blood money).”
Abbas’ mother Azmat Bibi named the three accused in the FIR she had registered under Section 173. Later, an application was put forward, requesting that the court makes the offence compoundable under Section 345 of CrPC.
Following the development, an acquittal application was moved in the court under Section 265-K of the CrPC.
On the other hand, the prosecution had opposed the application, contending that it has ‘solid’ evidence against the accused. It, therefore, pleaded the court that after the dismissal of the application under Section 265-K, remaining prosecution evidence should be summoned.
While commenting on the acquittal, lawyers said it contravenes Section 317 of the PPC, adding no accused standing in the dock can forgive him/herself.
Active lawyer Muhammad Azhar Siddique says new honour killing laws would not have retrospective effects; therefore, the offence is compoundable and a compromise can be entered.