Honour Killing in Pakistan: Young Girl Burned Alive for Wanting to Marry Someone of Her Own Choice

Masooma Bibi
Age: Young
Burned alive: May 2023
Residence: Jhang, Punjab
Origin: Pakistan
Children: None
Perpetrators: Rajab Ali, Jaber, Aamir, Kausar, Sameera, Aasia

Masooma Bibi had left her parental home and openly declared her desire to marry someone of her own choice, a decision that her father did not accept.

She was doused with petrol and set on fire while still alive. Suffering from severe burns, she was rushed to the hospital. In her final moments, she accused her father, brothers, and sisters of setting her on fire.

On Friday, May 26, 2023, the police arrested Rajab Ali (the father), along with brothers Jaber and Aamir, and sisters Kausar, Sameera, and Aasia. Tariq Mehboob, the district police chief in Jhang, had instructed the investigative team to apprehend all individuals involved in this heinous murder.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.