An estimated 50 people, including 30 women, have been killed in the name of honour in Balochistan this year so far, with the Nasirabad division topping the list in the number of killings, a report has revealed.
The report was compiled by The Aurat Foundation — a non-governmental organisation — working for protection of the rights of women and shared with the public at a press conference in Quetta the other day.
According to programme officer Muhammad Ashfaq Mengal, the victims were mostly killed by close relatives, including husbands, brothers and other relatives in the name of so-called honour and small family feuds.
He shared that the statistics in the report were based on the cases registered in different police stations in Nasirabad and other towns and cities, adding that the number of victims could be much higher as such incidents are likely to go unreported.
Mengal further disclosed that at least 17 women committed suicide over small family disputes in the province while 29 people were tortured including 21 women. Moreover, at least 14 women were kidnapped in 2018 from different areas of the province, while four were sexually harassed and four were victims of acid attacks in Quetta and other areas.
The organisation announced the launch of a 16-day awareness campaign in Balochistan against honor killings and domestic violence. The campaign would involve holding seminars in women universities and government girls colleges to educate the women about these crimes.
Those present at the conference urged the provincial government to give the matter priority and suggested the establishment of a commission for the protection of women rights. They also called for the approval of the Anti-Child Marriages bill, which is pending before the assembly for approval.
