Honour Killing Pakistan — Facts, Law, Resources

Pakistan records over 1,000 honour killings annually according to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. The actual number is higher — many are classified as suicides, accidents, or simply go unreported.

What is honour killing

Honour killing is the murder of a family member — overwhelmingly women and girls — by relatives who believe the person has brought shame to the family. The "shame" is almost always related to perceived sexual autonomy: being seen with a man, refusing an arranged marriage, surviving a rape, choosing your own partner.

The law

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2004 and the Anti-Honour Killing Laws Act 2016 made honour killing a non-compoundable offence — meaning it cannot be settled by the victim's family paying blood money. Perpetrators must face the state, not just the family. This was a significant reform. Enforcement is uneven.

If you are at risk