Quetta honour killing victim Bano's mother arrested for justifying murder

In a major development in the Quetta honour killing case, police have arrested Gul Jan, the mother of slain woman Bano Bibi, after she justified her daughter’s killing as punishment in accordance with Baloch tribal customs.

In a viral video, the woman, speaking in Brahvi, had described the murder as “punishment” handed down in line with Baloch traditions. She claimed that those arrested in connection with the killing were innocent and demanded that they be released.

According to the police, Gul's statement amounts to justifying a double murder and could influence the case.

She was produced before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) where the judge granted her two-day physical remand, they said.

Bano and a man named Ihsan were reportedly shot dead on the orders of Sherbaz Satakzai, head of the Satakzai tribe, after being accused of having an illicit relationship.

A video of the double murder, captured in broad daylight, surfaced online days later and sparked outrage on social media over the continued use of so-called ‘honour’ as justification of violence against women.

In the video statement, the mother of victim Bano said: “Whatever we did, we did in the name of honour. We have not committed any sin.”

Addressing Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti directly, she questioned why police were raiding their homes in the wake of the incident.