Whenever a girl in Pakistan dares to make her own choices—whether it's marrying someone she loves, continuing her education, or refusing a forced marriage—some men in our society immediately take it upon themselves to punish her in the name of "honour."
And that’s exactly what happened recently in Balochistan, where a young couple was executed simply for getting married without family approval.
Their murder was filmed and shared online. The country was outraged. But the real question is: Is our outrage only temporary, or are we ready to make a real change?
Honour or Male Ego?
Let’s be honest: what we call “honour” is often just male ego in disguise.
In our society, many men see women as their property. If a woman makes an independent decision, it’s viewed as an attack on the man’s control. And in response, he does what he's been taught: he retaliates—with blood.
These men don’t act like protectors. They act like judges, executioners, and gods—deciding who deserves to live or die.
Laws Exist. But Where’s the Implementation?
Pakistan has strict laws against honour killings—including the 2016 law that prevents families from pardoning killers. But in reality, the implementation is weak, slow, and often biased.
In tribal and rural areas, Jirgas (illegal tribal courts) still hand out death sentences, and the state remains silent.
Where power lies in the hands of tribal strongmen with guns, the law is reduced to a forgotten document.
Silence Empowers the Killer:
Behind every honour killing, there isn’t just a gun or a knife—there’s a whole system of silence:
Parents who treat their daughter’s freedom as a sin.
Neighbours who watch but say nothing.
Police who refuse to file a report.
Courts that release the killer “due to lack of evidence”.
All of this silence becomes a weapon. It fuels the same toxic mindset that sees a woman’s independence as a crime—and her death as justice.
When Will We Change?
If we truly want to end honour killings, then as a society, we must take real, uncomfortable steps:
1. Educate boys and men — teach them that women are not their property
2. Abolish illegal Jirgas — no one should be above the law
3. Establish shelters and legal aid — women at risk must have safe options
4. Promote gender equality in schools — teach children that a woman’s choice is a right, not a shame
5. Make men confront men — real honour lies in speaking up, not staying silent
The Bottom Line:
Honour killings are not about religion, culture, or tradition. They are about control, ego, and male insecurity.
Let’s be clear:
A society that silences women in the name of honour is actually announcing its own cowardice.
It's time to break the silence. It's time to bury not the victims—but the mindset that treats love as a crime and a woman’s will as a death sentence.
If you think you're truly honourable—then speak out against injustice.
Silence is the killer’s language.
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