March 19, 2025
By Shokat Korai
KARACHI
Twenty year old Irum had to be convinced to meet her estranged husband Adil, who had booked a meeting place for them. She was still wary of being in the same vicinity as the man who had mistreated her ever since he married her. But she was coaxed by her older sister, Hina, that it would be alright – it would be the one last meeting, and Adil probably wanted closure.
Little did either sister know that Irum would never return.
An invitation to death
It had seemed that Adil had wanted to celebrate with Irum – he was armed with a cake box when he arrived. He had already booked a room at a guesthouse in Karachi’s PECHS area, and he took Irum there with him. But as soon as she had a slice, she quickly began slipping into unconsciousness.
Once she had fainted, Adil took the cake knife and slit his estranged wife’s throat and brutally stabbed her her all across her limbs and the stomach.
Hate fueled crime
Irum had married Adil out of her own choice, but the marriage had not lasted for more than two years. Irum’s parents say that she had faced constant mistreatment and abuse at her in-laws’ house. She was even subjected to violence in front of her family, eventually making it impossible for her to continue living there. Ultimately she was forced to seek separation.
Despite the separation, Adil continued to threaten Irum with violence and even death.
“We thought the threats were empty because the separation had already taken place. We didn’t think he would actually harm her,” says Khushi Muhammad, Irum’s grandfather, who said the family did not take these threats seriously. Consequently, they did not file a formal complaint with the police.
‘She didn’t deserve this’
Since Irum’s murder, Hina is devastated by her sister’s murder.
“I loved my sister more than anything,” she wept inconsolably. Her death has shattered me. I can’t believe she’s gone,” Hina said, breaking down in tears.
Hina recounted how Adil had coerced Irum into meeting him.
Hina is now demanding justice for her slain sister. “I want justice for my sister; she didn’t deserve this. Adil must be punished for what he did,” Hina said.
Protest demonstration against police apathy
Following the incident, which took place on Friday, Irum’s family and relatives staged a protest with her body outside the Karachi Press Club and the Sindh Governor House.
At the time the police had failed to arrest the accused and Irum’s father, Muhammad Rashid, was angry at the release of the guesthouse owner who was initially arrested.
“We fear that the police are protecting the culprits,” Muhammad Rashid told Voicepk.
Protesters, including neighbours and relatives, criticised the police’s apathetic attitude despite the heinous nature of the crime.
“A woman has been brutally murdered, and the police are acting as if nothing happened. We are here to demand justice,” a neighbor who had participated in the protest told Voicepk.
During the protest, on Saturday, the staff of the Governor House assured the demonstrators that the matter had been escalated to the relevant authorities, and that action would be taken against those responsible.
Subsequently, the police arrested Adil four days after the incident and presented him in court. The police requested the court to allow them to recover the murder weapon and conduct forensic and DNA tests. The court granted a five-day police remand for further investigation and ordered a comprehensive report on the forensic and DNA tests to be submitted at the next hearing.
During the court proceedings, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mujahid Thebo, said that the police had not yet submitted any reports, but the accused had confessed to the murder in court.
“The police have not provided any reports yet, but the accused has confessed to the crime in court. We are hopeful that justice will be served,” Thebo said.
Investigative officials stated that they could not disclose further details at this stage but would present a detailed report in court at the next hearing.
The tragic murder of Irum is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a pervasive issue of honour killings. Honour killings, or karo-kari, are acts of violence perpetrated against individuals, predominantly women, who are perceived to have brought shame or dishonour to their families. These killings are often justified under the guise of preserving family honour, rooted in deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and cultural practices.
Prevalence of Honor Killings
Pakistan has one of the highest rates of honor killings globally.
In January 2023 a father shot his newly-wed daughter in a Karachi court for marrying against his wishes,. The identifies the woman as a resident of Pirabad in Karachi who had recently married a doctor from her neighbourhood. The woman’s father opened fire on her in the city court when she came to record her statement confirming that she had married of her own free will. The father was arrested at the scene, and the weapon was seized.
In May 2023 case a young woman was killed by her brother in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA). The victim was shot dead by her brother on suspicion of “illicit relations.” The police surgeon, Dr. Summaiya Syed, had reported that the woman had suffered two bullet wounds to the head and leg . The woman’s brother confessed to the killing during the police interrogation, and a murder case was registered against him on behalf of the state as no other family members were willing to file a report.
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), hundreds of women are killed each year in the name of honour. These crimes are often underreported due to societal pressures, fear of retaliation, and complicity by law enforcement agencies.
Honour killings are not limited to rural areas; they occur in urban centers like Karachi as well. The victims are often young women who challenge traditional norms, such as choosing their own partners, seeking divorce, or simply being accused of immoral behavior based on rumors.
Laws to combat honour killings
Pakistan has taken legislative steps to address this issue, but implementation remains a significant challenge. Key laws include the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2016) that mandates life imprisonment for honour killings, removing the loophole that allowed perpetrators to be pardoned by the victim’s family. It also ensures that even if the family forgives the killer, the state will pursue the case, and the offender will face mandatory punishment.
The Anti-Rape Law (Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2021) introduced stricter punishments for sexual violence and mandated the establishment of special courts for expedited trials. In addition, the Women’s Protection Act (2006) provides legal safeguards for women against domestic violence, harassment, and discrimination.
Despite the above laws, honour killings persist due to cultural acceptance. Many communities view honour killings as justified, making it difficult to change mindsets. A weak enforcement of these laws have meant that police and judicial systems often fail to act promptly or impartially, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
A lack of awareness has lead to many women being unaware of their legal rights or fear societal backlash if they seek help.
The murder of Irum is a stark reminder of the grim reality of honour killings in Pakistan. While legislative measures are a step in the right direction, their effectiveness hinges on implementation and societal change. It is imperative for the government, civil society, and citizens to work collectively to eradicate this heinous practice and ensure justice for victims like Irum. Only then can Pakistan move toward a more just and equitable society.
“We will not stop until we get justice for Arma. Her death cannot be in vain,” Hina vowed, her voice trembling with emotion. The fight against honour killings is far from over, but with sustained efforts and collective action, there is hope for a brighter, more just future.