Shocking Honor Killing Video Sparks Outrage in Pakistan

QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) — Pakistan on Sunday arrested a suspect after a video emerged on social media of a woman and a man being shot and killed for marrying against the wishes of their families, in a so-called honor killing, authorities said.

The couple, whose identities were not disclosed, were executed last month on orders from a local tribal council in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, according to provincial authorities. The investigation was launched after the video went viral.

Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial chief minister, stated that one suspect has been apprehended after authorities identified the location and individuals in the video. He confirmed that a case has been registered against all those involved.

The video shows people in a desert setting, with pickup trucks and SUVs that they had apparently used to reach the location.

In the footage, the woman is given a copy of the Quran, the Muslim holy book. She then tells a man, “Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me.” The man proceeds to follow her for a few steps.

A local police official reported that the woman did not cry or beg for mercy.

“You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that,” the woman says in the regional Brahavi language, as translated by the official.

The meaning of her statement “nothing more than that” remains unclear.

The man who had followed her then aimed a pistol at her.

Wrapped in a shawl, the woman stood motionless as shots were fired. She remained standing after two shots at close range, only falling to the ground after the third shot.

This is followed by a series of gunshots. The footage then shows a bloodied man lying on the ground near the woman’s body. Subsequently, men are seen shooting at both bodies.

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported at least 405 honor killings in 2024, criticizing authorities for failing to eradicate these crimes.

Human rights groups state that most victims are women, and these killings are typically carried out by relatives claiming to defend their family’s honor.

In conservative families, couples are often forbidden from marrying against their family’s wishes.

Such killings are illegal under Pakistani law.