Pakistan Arrests 13 in Viral ‘Honour Killing’ Case in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – In a significant crackdown following widespread outrage, Pakistani authorities have arrested 13 individuals, including a tribal leader, in connection with the brutal killing of a couple in Balochistan province. The arrests were made after a video depicting the horrific murders went viral on social media, reigniting public anger over the persistent issue of 'honour killings' in the region.

The couple, identified as Bano Bibi and her husband Ehsan Ullah, were allegedly killed in May 2025 near Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. The police filed a first information report (FIR) on July 21, 2025, detailing the involvement of a tribal leader, Sardar Sherbaz Khan, who purportedly ordered the killings after deeming the couple guilty of an 'immoral relationship' due to their love marriage.

According to Syed Suboor Agha, a police official in Balochistan, the investigation remains ongoing, with additional arrests anticipated, particularly of Bano's brother, who is currently at large. The FIR names eight suspects and lists 15 unidentified individuals believed to be involved in the incident.

The viral video portrays a chilling scene where armed men surround the couple, who are then shot multiple times, even as they lie motionless on the ground. This shocking footage has amplified calls for justice and reform within a system where such brutal acts are often overlooked or inadequately addressed.

'Honour killings' are a grievous issue in Pakistan and India, often rooted in perceived family or tribal dishonour related to love marriages. Many of these cases go unreported; however, the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) reported over 32,000 instances of gender-based violence across Pakistan in 2024, including 547 honour killings, with Balochistan accounting for 32 cases, and only one leading to a conviction.

Harris Khalique, General Secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), condemned the killings as emblematic of the 'tyranny of medieval practices' pervasive in many areas of the country. In his statements to Al Jazeera, he asserted, 'The state has failed to establish the rule of law, instead protecting tribal chiefs and feudal lords who uphold these brutal customs to maintain their power over local communities.'

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area yet the least populated, has a long history of conflict between the government and ethnic Baloch separatists seeking independence. Rights activist Sammi Deen Baloch emphasized the systemic violence against women in the region, labeling the murders as commonplace. 'In Balochistan, women are killed for love and silenced under the weight of tribal authority and state oppression. The state’s inaction until the video went viral reveals a disturbing complicity in these acts of violence,' she stated.

The government’s delay in responding to the murders raises alarms about the broader implications of governance in Balochistan, where tribal authority often supersedes state law. Activists argue that without significant reform, women in the region will continue to face violence fueled by both tribal patriarchy and state neglect.

The recent arrests reflect a growing public outcry for accountability and reform regarding honour killings in Pakistan. However, experts warn that until systemic changes are made, such tragedies may persist, with Baloch women remaining vulnerable to violence in a landscape riddled with patriarchal control and inadequate legal protection.

As the investigation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for meaningful change in how gender-based violence is addressed in Pakistan. The tragic fate of Bano Bibi and Ehsan Ullah serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action against such heinous crimes.