A Nation in Violence: Honour Killings and Femicide in Pakistan

Byline: Mishal Zia

Dateline: 2nd November 2021 — Radio Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: In 2021, women and girls in Pakistan continued to face brutal violence at alarming rates. Honour killings and femicide remain among the most shocking and persistent forms of gender-based violence. Despite laws designed to protect women, societal acceptance of such violence, weak enforcement, and systemic failures by authorities have allowed perpetrators to act with impunity. This investigative report examines the prevalence, consequences, and specific events of honour killings and femicide in 2021, while critiquing the government and legal system.

The Scope of Honour Killings

Data from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and other official sources show that hundreds of honour killings were recorded in 2021. At least 478 honour killings of women were documented across the country, with Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan reporting significant numbers. These figures likely understate the true scale of the problem due to widespread underreporting and the informal resolution of cases outside the legal system.

Honour killings are most often committed by male relatives who claim that a woman’s behaviour has brought "dishonour" on the family. Perceived transgressions include refusing arranged marriages, engaging in love marriages, or simply choosing a partner without family approval. These beliefs are rooted in deeply patriarchal social norms that treat women as property whose behaviour must be strictly controlled.

Notable and Tragic Events in 2021

One of the most widely reported cases of femicide in 2021 was the brutal killing of Noor Mukadam, a 27-year-old woman in Islamabad. She was kidnapped, tortured, raped, and murdered by Zahir Jaffer, a family acquaintance, after she refused his marriage proposal. The brutality of this crime and the victim’s elite background drew national and international outrage, exposing shortcomings in social attitudes toward violence against women and in law enforcement responses.

Other honour killings continued across Pakistan, particularly in rural and conservative areas. Many victims were killed after eloping or attempting to exercise personal choice in relationships. Traditional family councils and local jirgas often condoned or even ordered these killings, bypassing the state justice system altogether.

Critique of Law and Government Response

Pakistan criminalized honour killings with the Anti-Honour Killing Laws 2016, which abolished the ability of perpetrators to receive pardons from family members. However, enforcement remains weak. Conviction rates are exceedingly low, and police frequently record murders in the name of honour as general homicides, allowing perpetrators to escape harsher penalties.

Police and local authorities often encourage families to settle disputes privately rather than pursue formal charges. This reinforces a culture of impunity. Even when cases reach court, delays, compromised investigations, and pressure on victims’ families to forgive killers make justice rare. These systemic failures are compounded by a pervasive social view that frames honour-based violence as a private matter rather than a grave human rights violation.

Femicide Beyond Honour Killings

Honour killings represent only one aspect of femicide in Pakistan. Violence against women in 2021 extended far beyond that category. According to activist reports, thousands of women were murdered in cases that included domestic abuse, sexual violence, and targeted killings because of gender alone. This reflects systemic femicide — the intentional, gender-based killing of women — driven by misogynistic attitudes that devalue female life and autonomy.

Impact on Society

The consequences of honour killings and femicide are profound. Families live in fear, and women’s freedom of movement, choice of partner, and public presence are often limited by the threat of violence. Many women self-censor their behaviour to avoid accusations that could lead to death. The psychological trauma extends beyond individual victims to entire communities, where female life is subordinated to notions of family honour.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly called on Pakistan to strengthen protections, ensure independent investigations, and reform police procedures. Despite these calls, progress has been slow, and legislative measures have not translated into meaningful change on the ground.

Conclusion

Honour killings and femicide in Pakistan in 2021 revealed a nation struggling with entrenched gender violence and systemic failure. Hundreds of women were killed in the name of honour, while thousands more faced deadly violence rooted in misogyny and discrimination. The legal framework intended to stop these crimes has been undermined by weak enforcement, social tolerance of patriarchal violence, and police complicity.

To protect women’s right to life and safety, the government must take decisive action to strengthen legal protections, ensure high conviction rates, reform law enforcement practices, and challenge cultural norms that justify violence. Without genuine accountability and commitment, honour killings and femicide will continue to claim lives and devastate families across Pakistan.