Another honor-killing in Pakistan: 19-year old boy kills sister, brother-in-law
In yet another horrific incident of honor killing in Pakistan, 19-year old Saeed Anwar shot dead his sister and her husband in Rawalpindi. Anwar had reportedly been upset about his sister marrying a man without the family's consent. The police are treating the incident as an honor killing case and Saeed has been charged with double murder. Here's more on what happened.
What are honor killings?
Honor killing refers to murders in the name of honor. These are usually carried out by family members, either by themselves or under orders from village elders for bringing dishonor to a family or community. Women and couples are primary victims of honor killings.
What went down?
Anwar had been upset about his 18-year old sister Mismat Musarrat marrying 25-year old Qaiser without the family's consent. He had reportedly been waiting for an opportunity to target them and shot at the couple while they were alone at home. Both Mismat and Qaiser died on the spot. Although Anwar tried to flee afterwards, the police arrested him and seized the gun.
Honor killings in Pakistan: A worrying state of affairs
Activists say that thousands of women in Pakistan fall prey to honor killings every year. In 2016, Pakistani celebrity and model, popularly known as Qandeel Baloch was murdered by her brother, as he was reportedly unhappy about her being an Internet sensation. Reports in 2017 indicated that at least two couples were brutally murdered on orders of jirgas (village elders).
