Balochistan CM Orders Investigation into Brutal Killing Video

Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, has responded to a disturbing video circulating on social media that appears to depict the violent deaths of a man and a woman.

The provincial government released a statement confirming that the Chief Minister has mandated an immediate inquiry into the matter. He has instructed law enforcement to apprehend all individuals involved without any delay.

Government spokesperson Shahid Rind, relaying the Chief Minister’s sentiments, characterized the act as “barbaric” and asserted that it would not be condoned under any circumstances.

Rind emphasized the government’s dedication to upholding justice, stating that “No one will be permitted to take the law into their own hands.”

While social media users are suggesting the killings were ‘honour’ killings, verification of the video’s authenticity and specific details remains pending.

In Pakistan, so-called ‘honour’ killings continue to tragically affect women’s lives, with incidents reported throughout 2024.

According to the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) 2024 report ‘Mapping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan’, there were 2,238 reported cases of domestic violence, along with 547 cases of honour killings and 5,339 cases of rape across the nation. Alarmingly, conviction rates for each of these offenses remain below 2%.

Between January and November, 346 individuals were victims of ‘honour’ crimes. The preceding years also revealed a steady increase in murders linked to preserving so-called ‘honour’.

In 2023, the nation witnessed 490 incidents of ‘honour’ killings, whereas in 2022, approximately 590 individuals were killed in the name of ‘honour’.