Honour Killings in Pakistan: A Clash Between Cultural Norms and Islamic Teachings on Choice in Marriage

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 9 September 2025 In Pakistan, a country where Islam is the state religion and shapes much of daily life, reports of women—and sometimes men—being killed for choosing their own spouses continue to surface with alarming frequency. These so-called "honour killings" often stem from deeply entrenched tribal and cultural practices that prioritize family reputation over individual rights. Despite Pakistan's Islamic identity, such acts contradict core religious principles that emphasize consent and mutual agreement in marriage. This article examines recent and historical reports of these tragedies, explores what Islam truly teaches about a woman's right to choose her partner, and delves into why many in Pakistan seem to ignore these religious guidelines, highlighting an urgent need for greater awareness and reform. The Persistent Tragedy: Recent Reports of Honour Killings Over Love Marriages Honour killings, locally known as "karo-kari" in some regions, remain a grim reality in Pakistan. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, over 470 such cases were reported in a single year, with women disproportionately affected. In 2024 alone, at least 405 honour killings were documented, often linked to perceived slights like love marriages or relationships outside family approval. These incidents aren't isolated; they reflect a pattern where families, tribes, or communities take lethal action to "restore honour." Consider the provided reports, which illustrate the issue vividly: In Karachi, a couple—Mohammad Amin Balidi and his wife Zarina—was gunned down in their home six years after their court marriage. Zarina had fled an abusive situation and remarried Amin, but her relatives labelled them "Karo-Kari" (black man and black woman, implying dishonour). Their five-year-old son survived, but the killers escaped initially. The family suspects Zarina's brothers, driven by tribal customs, were responsible. This case underscores how even years after a love marriage, vengeance can strike. In Italy, 18-year-old Saman Abbas, a Pakistani-origin girl, was killed by her parents for refusing an arranged marriage and choosing her own partner. Her defiance against "patriarchal traditions" cost her life, highlighting how these cultural pressures transcend borders. A journalist, Ajmal Joyia, was murdered in Punjab's Lodhran district for reportedly helping a couple elope and covering their story. Suspects, relatives of the woman involved, were arrested, but the incident shows how even supporters of love marriages face deadly repercussions. Journalist unions condemned the killing, noting it's rare but not unheard of for reporters to be targeted over social issues. In Batgram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a woman was strangled 12 years after her court marriage, with her body buried quietly. Her husband suspected foul play and pushed for exhumation, revealing murder. Police arrested her four brothers and three jirga (tribal council) members, who had taken 800,000 rupees for "reconciliation" but never followed through. The husband revealed years of threats and separation, fearing police involvement would worsen things. These stories aren't outliers. More recent cases from 2024 and 2025 paint a similar picture: In July 2025, a young couple in Baluchistan was executed in broad daylight on a tribal elder's orders for an "illicit" relationship—essentially a love affair without family consent. A viral video showed the horrific act, leading to 13 arrests, including the tribal leader. The woman defiantly said, "You can only shoot me," before being killed, sparking national outrage. Later that month, in Rawalpindi, 18-year-old Sidra Bibi was allegedly killed by a Jirga's order for similar reasons. Her father and ex-husband were among nine arrested. In August 2025, another woman, Bano Bibi, was slain for "dishonouring" her family, her final words a bold stand against the violence. While arrests are rare in such cases, this one gained attention due to her defiance. Other incidents include a couple murdered in Kohistan in 2025, where the girl's father killed both her and her cousin (the boy) for planning a love marriage. These reports reveal a pattern: Victims are often young women (and their partners) who defy arranged marriages, with perpetrators—usually close relatives—acting under the guise of "honour." Despite laws like the 2016 Anti-Honour Killings Act, enforcement is weak, and Jirgas continue to wield influence in rural areas. What Does Islam Say About a Woman's Choice in Marriage? Islam, as a religion of justice and compassion, explicitly protects a woman's right to consent in marriage. Forced unions are invalid, and the faith emphasizes mutual agreement between spouses. According to Islamic scholars, a marriage (Nikah) requires the free consent of both parties. The Quran states in Surah An-Nisa (4:19): "O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them..." This verse prohibits coercion in marital matters. Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." (Sahih Bukhari). This hadith underscores that even a virgin's silence can indicate consent, but explicit permission is ideal, and no one can force her. Dar al-Ifta, a respected Islamic authority, affirms: "Islam has granted equal rights to men and women in choosing their spouses. An Islamic marriage is valid only if there is genuine consent." While a guardian (Wali) plays a role in advising and approving—often to protect the woman from exploitation—the guardian cannot impose a spouse against her will. If a suitable proposal is rejected unreasonably, the woman can seek intervention from a judge. Islam encourages choosing partners based on piety and character, not wealth or status. The Prophet advised: "If there comes to you one with whose character and religious commitment you are pleased, then marry (your daughter) to him." (Sunan Ibn Majah). This applies reciprocally, allowing women to seek righteous husbands. In essence, Islam views marriage as a partnership of love and mercy (Quran 30:21), not a transaction for family honour. Forced marriages or killings over personal choice directly violate these teachings. Why Aren't Pakistanis Following Islamic Teachings? The Gap Between Faith and Practice Pakistan's constitution declares it an Islamic Republic, yet honour killings persist, claiming hundreds of lives annually. Why this disconnect? The answer lies in a toxic blend of cultural traditions, patriarchal structures, and systemic failures that overshadow religious doctrine. Many honour killings are rooted in pre-Islamic tribal customs like Karo-Kari or Swara (compensatory marriages), prevalent in rural Sindh, Baluchistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These practices treat women as family property, where "dishonour" from a love marriage justifies violence to restore reputation. Jirgas, informal tribal councils, often sanction such acts, bypassing formal justice systems despite being illegal. Misinterpretation of Islam plays a role too. Some families twist religious concepts like "Ghairat" (honour) to justify control, ignoring clear prohibitions against forced marriage. Low literacy rates—especially among women in rural areas—mean many aren't aware of their Islamic rights. A 2025 socio-legal study in rural Islamic communities found a stark gap: While Sharia grants women spouse-selection rights, socio-cultural norms enforce arranged or forced marriages, with little religious education to counter it. Awareness is sorely lacking. Media covers high-profile cases, but grassroots education on Islamic teachings is minimal. Human rights groups like the HRCP note that while laws exist, police often side with influential families, leading to impunity—perpetrators are rarely convicted. Poverty, feudal systems, and weak state institutions exacerbate this, allowing cultural practices to thrive unchecked. Experts argue that true adherence to Islam could eradicate this: Educating communities on Quranic verses and hadiths emphasizing consent might bridge the gap. Yet, without political will, religious scholars' involvement, and campaigns in mosques and schools, change remains elusive. A Call for Awareness and Action Honour killings in Pakistan are not Islamic—they're a perversion of culture masquerading as tradition. As reports from Karachi to Baluchistan show, women pay the ultimate price for exercising a right Islam grants them: choosing a spouse freely. To honour the faith Pakistan claims to follow, society must prioritize education on true Islamic teachings, strengthen law enforcement, and dismantle patriarchal norms. Until then, stories like those of Zarina, Saman, and the Baluchistan couple will continue, a stark reminder that awareness isn't just needed—it's overdue. By aligning actions with religion's compassionate core, Pakistan can protect its daughters and build a more just future. ------ Related Articles: 1. In Islam the Woman Needs To Consent to the Marriage 2. There is No Compulsion in Marriage – Girls Are Blessed with the Divine Power of Choice by Allah 3. Reclaiming Female Autonomy in the Islamic Marriage Contract 4. Forced Conversions and Forced Marriages of Hindu Girls in Pakistan: Does Islam Allow Such Immorality and Coercion? 5. Islam versus Boko Haram and Forced Marriages ------ A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is an Alim and Fazil (Classical Islamic scholar) with a Sufi background and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/honour-killings-pakistan-cultural-islamic-teachings-marriage/d/136766 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism