QUETTA/KARACHI – The number of arrests in the Balochistan honour killing case has climbed to 13, according to official statements. The viral video of a man and woman being murdered — which surfaced on social media days after Eid ul Adha — triggered outrage nationwide and prompted swift action by law enforcement.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed the arrests in a series of posts on social media platform X. “The slain persons are identified,” he said, adding that the incident occurred days before Eid. “A case under terrorism charges has been registered on behalf of the state, and the law will take its full course,” Bugti assured.
The prime suspect is reportedly among those arrested. Authorities have launched a large-scale operation to apprehend remaining culprits. “The operation is ongoing and the state stands with the oppressed,” CM Bugti declared in a late-night update. The police also stated that more arrests are expected as they pursue additional leads.
Victims’ Families Remain Silent; State Becomes Complainant
Speaking to media at the Karachi Press Club, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that neither of the victims’ families reported the incident. “The state itself has become the complainant,” he said, underlining that silence from the families should not stop justice.
Personnel from the provincial police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) have been deployed in the region where the crime was believed to have taken place. Despite efforts, the bodies of the victims have not yet been recovered, which complicates the investigation.
To trace the identities of the suspects and victims, the government sent video footage to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Officials also contacted the excise department to trace the motorcycle seen in the video using its number plate. “Tribes and individuals involved have been identified,” Rind added, although he declined to name them, citing strategic reasons.
The authenticity of the viral video remains under review, but law enforcement and government officials are treating the content as legitimate and have launched full-scale investigations.
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Honour Killings on the Rise as Conviction Rates Remain Low
This Balochistan honour killing case adds to a growing list of gender-based violence incidents in Pakistan, where the pattern of murders in the name of “honour” has shown little sign of decline. The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), in its 2024 report Mapping Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan, revealed a grim reality: 547 honour killings were reported across the country in just one year.
The report further noted 2,238 domestic violence cases and 5,339 rape cases, with conviction rates shockingly under 2% for each category. This statistic highlights the critical gap between law enforcement and actual justice in Pakistan’s judicial system.
From January to November 2024, 346 people were reportedly killed in honour-related crimes. The trend has persisted over the years, with 490 such killings in 2023 and 590 in 2022. These figures paint a picture of a society where outdated customs continue to override the rule of law.
As social media fuels public awareness, more citizens are demanding transparency and accountability. Many users speculated that the victims were killed for defying tribal norms, although such claims await official confirmation.
Human rights activists have condemned the violence, urging both provincial and federal governments to make examples out of such cases. “We need stronger prosecution, immediate arrests, and community awareness,” said a representative from a local women’s rights NGO.
With pressure mounting, the Balochistan government has vowed to continue operations until all those involved are arrested. The Balochistan honour killing case has not only reignited national debate around so-called “honour” crimes but also raised urgent questions about law enforcement, gender violence, and societal silence in Pakistan.
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