Senate condemns Jirga-ordered killing of couple in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD – The Senate of Pakistan on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning the brutal daylight murder of a couple in Balochistan, reportedly carried out on the orders of a local jirga under the pretext of so-called “honour killing.”

The resolution, moved by Senator Sherry Rehman, described the incident as a premeditated act of vigilante justice that constitutes a heinous crime and a gross violation of human rights, constitutional protections, and the laws of Pakistan.

Rejecting all cultural or tribal justifications, the resolution declared that no tradition or notion of ‘ghairat’ (honour) can legitimize such barbarity, which in fact brings shame and dishonour upon the nation itself.

The House reminded that Parliament had already enacted legal reforms to curb so-called honour killings — notably by making such crimes non-compoundable — but stressed that weak implementation and lack of accountability continue to undermine these legal safeguards.

It cited past high-profile cases, especially those involving women, as evidence of systemic failures in ensuring justice.

The resolution affirmed that “honour killings” are murders, plain and simple, and must be treated and prosecuted as such without leniency or delay.

It warned against the use of informal justice systems, such as jirgas, to bypass the rule of law and constitutional due process.

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The Senate called on the government to launch an immediate, transparent investigation into the recent killings, ensuring that all those involved — including individuals who convened or endorsed the jirga — are brought to justice under the full extent of the Pakistan Penal Code.

It further urged law enforcement agencies to apply the law uniformly in all such cases and called upon the Ministries of Law & Justice and Human Rights to review enforcement gaps in current legislation on honour-based crimes.

The resolution also recommended specialized training for public prosecutors and investigation officers to effectively handle gender-based violence and honour crime cases as serious criminal offences.