Honour killing in Rajanpur, Pakistan: Woman stoned to death by husband and his brothers

Zarnaz
Age: -
Killed: August 30, 2023
Residence: Chucha area, Rajanpur, Punjab
Origin: Pakistan
Children: -
Perpetrators: Husband Baggoo Alkani and his brothers

On Wednesday, August 30, Zarnaz was brutally murdered by her husband, Baggoo Alkani, in the Chucha area, located in the Rajanpur district of Punjab, Pakistan.

According to witnesses, the murder was committed at a remote location, several kilometers from her home, under the pretext of 'honor.' Baggoo Alkani allegedly caught Zarnaz in the act with another man. Zarnaz was allegedly forced to lie on the ground, after which she was pelted with sharp stones by her husband and his brothers.

Family members of Zarnaz contradict the allegations of infidelity, stating that Zarnaz has always been a loyal wife throughout their two-year marriage and that she has done nothing wrong.

Police have not yet arrested Baggoo Alkani and his brothers. The trio is believed to be residing in the Punjab-Balochistan border region.

This brutal murder sheds another spotlight on the ongoing problem of honor-based violence, known as 'Karo-Kari,' in Pakistan.

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.