Woman stabbed to death by brother for ‘honour’ in Pakistan

LAHORE: In a latest case of honour killing in Pakistan, a 25-year-old woman was stabbed to death allegedly by her brother for “disgracing the family” by marrying a man of her choice in Punjab province.

Nazia eloped with the man in Sherakot area against the wishes of her family last month, a senior police officer said.

Mohammad Ishaq, the brother of Shazia, lodged a missing complaint accusing the man of kidnapping her but later withdrew it when both the parties reached an agreement and Nazia came back to her house.

On Saturday, Ishaq stabbed Nazia to death for “disgracing the family” by marrying of her choice, the officer said, adding that Nazia’s parents were present in the house but no one came forward to save her life.

After committing the crime, Ishaq fled. A case of murder was registered against Ishaq and others on the complaint of Nazia’s elder sister. Killing of women relatives in the name of honour is a menace still prevalent in many parts of Pakistan.

More than 1,000 women are killed every year by their relatives on the pretext of defending what is seen as family honour. In July last year, a 36-year-old woman was shot dead by her brother and his son in Karachi as they suspected her of having an affair with a man, while her husband was working in Saudi Arabia.

In April last year, a Pakistani man used a kitchen knife to murder his sister after flying into a rage when he caught her using a mobile phone.

Hayat Khan, 20, attacked his 16-year-old sister Sumaira at their home in the Orangi Town neighbourhood of Karachi. Senior police officer Azfar Mahesar said the brother later threw her out of the house where she lay on the steps as neighbours gathered to help.

A woman using a mobile phone, in particular to speak to a male non-relative, is seen as highly taboo among conservative elements in Pakistani society.

The conviction rate in such cases is very low because the complainants, usually the relatives of the victims, withdraw the cases.