The tradition of killing for honour continues in the country unabated despite the passage of a law unanimously by a joint session of the Parliament against the centuries old practice. The legislation on honour killings has provided strict punishment for the convicts making it tougher than the ordinary murder cases.
Likewise, in the month of February 2016, Punjab Assembly had passed women protection bill which criminalised all forms of violence against women and also provided them with special centres which remove the hurdles that complicate a woman’s quest for justice.
According to a report, two hundred and thirty-one persons including 185 women were murdered in the spate of ‘honour killings’ in Punjab during 2016. Among the females was renowned social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch who fell prey to the wicked practice of ‘honour killing’ and the accused include his brothers and cousin.
Under the new law relatives of the victim would only be able to pardon the killer if he is sentenced to capital punishment. However, the culprit would still face a mandatory life sentence of twelve-and-a-half years.
According to details, 46 men were also killed for honour. Likewise, 29 wives were killed by their husbands over alleged illicit relations.
Ninety-five percent of the weapons used in honour killing incidents were unlicensed.
Despite legislation, a sharp rise in honour killings is ringing alarm bells in the minds of both lawmakers and human rights activists. It may be mentioned here that 240 persons were murdered in ‘honour killing’ in 2015.
Read more: 39 women killed in name of honour this year in Balochistan