Horror and outrage have been sparked worldwide by a video showing the murder of a couple in Pakistan in a remote area of the country. According to reports, the woman and man were accused of adultery and the tribal council decided to punish them with death. International media report that the woman, named Bano Bibi, was shot by her brother, Jalal Satakzai. He is also reported to have killed Ehsan Ullah Samalani, with whom Bano was accused of having an affair.
The double murder occurred in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, and the video went viral, prompting police to mobilize and arrest 16 people, including the tribal chief and the woman’s mother. Bano’s brother, who murdered the couple, has not yet been arrested.
Gul Jan Bibi, Bano’s mother, stated that the murders were committed by the family and local officials based on “centuries-old Baloch traditions” and not following orders from the tribal chief. “We committed no sin. Bano and Ehsan were killed based on our traditions,” she said.
Pakistan: Strong reactions
The video caused horror and outrage on social media, with related hashtags such as #justice for the couple and #honor crime going viral. Pakistan’s Council of Ulema characterized the murders as “anti-Islamic” and called for terrorism charges to be filed against the perpetrators. Dozens of civil society members and activists held a protest on Saturday in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, demanding justice and the abolition of the parallel tribal judicial system.
It should be noted that Pakistan outlawed honor crimes in 2016. However, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan recorded at least 405 honor crimes in 2024. Most victims are women who are murdered mainly by their relatives.
A tragic incident has occurred in the Baloch region of Balochistan, where a young couple belonging to a Baloch tribe was mercilessly killed for the “crime” of marrying out of love. #Baloch #Couple #Brutal #Honor #Killing #Balochistan pic.twitter.com/ubU9fNVoAn
— Voiceup Pakistan (@VoiceupPakistan) July 20, 2025
