Another woman killed on Jirga's orders for free-will marriage in Rawalpindi: reports

As the nation reels from the shock of the recent honour killing in Balochistan, another harrowing incident has surfaced — this time in Pirwadhai, Rawalpindi, where a young woman named Sidra was allegedly strangled to death on July 17, reportedly on the orders of a local jirga, after marrying a man of her own choosing.

According to media reports, Sidra had been under severe familial and societal pressure following her love marriage. She had initially fled to Kashmir, but was eventually brought back — and allegedly killed upon her return.

In a bid to cover up the crime, she was buried secretly at night, with even the grave marker removed to erase evidence of her death.

Police sources have confirmed the arrest of the former chairman of the graveyard committee and the gravedigger.

A case has been registered on the complaint of Sidra’s husband, Zia-ur-Rehman, who alleged that Sidra had eloped with another man named Usman, and had also taken jewelry and cash with her.

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

Investigators have now sought court approval for exhumation to determine the actual cause of death.

In response, Magistrate Qaisar Abbas Tarrar has issued notices to the victim’s family for a hearing scheduled on July 26, and has also ordered strict security around Sidra’s grave to prevent tampering with evidence.

The Rawalpindi police said that a transparent and thorough investigation is underway, and emphasized that exhumation and post-mortem are necessary steps to establish the truth behind Sidra’s death.