July 22, 2025
By Xari Jalil & Ahmed Saeed
LAHORE
Section 311 of the Honour Killing Act has now been added to the case file of the double murder case over perceived honour, said Muhammad Baloch, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations (Quetta), while speaking to Voicepk on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the number of suspects arrested are now 14.
According to details, the FIR that surfaced on Monday, carried various sections. The FIR lodged by the State as complainant (i.e. SHO Naveed Akhtar of the Hanna Urak Police), registered the case against the suspects under Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting while armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly) and 302 (murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. However the Honour Killing clause Section 311 was not added to the FIR.
Balochistan government: No knowledge of FIR?
Voicepk first contacted Shahid Rind, spokesperson of the Balochistan government. However he professed no knowledge of the FIR and its contents, despite the case making headlines across the country. He did not comment on why the Section 311 (Honour Killing) was not added to the FIR, and refused to talk about the issue.
However SSP Operations, Muhammad Baloch told Voicepk that the FIR was an initial document.
“When the case was transferred to the Serious Crimes Unit, the case was referred to again. Initially it was written down as a murder case, however a little investigation revealed to us that the murders were committed in the name of ‘honour’ (izadi). Therefore changes were made to the case diary, and Section 311 has now been added.”
Murder Vs Killing for honour
Lawyer Zigar Sher told Voicepk that Section 302 is ‘murder’, and there were various conditions for ‘murder’.
“There is no doubt that this murder was committed in the name of honour, after the woman was accused of running away and ‘dishonouring’ her tribe, while the man was accused of taking the woman with him and dishonouring his tribe,” he said. “In such a case, if the police did not insert Section 311 in the beginning it could have been difficult to understand how the case would have been dealt with otherwise going forward.”
Legally speaking he said that Section 311 was a ‘non-compoundable’ offence. “You cannot just reconcile by sitting together and letting go of the matter,” he said. “The reason why the State is involved is so that the crime remains non-compoundable. Now even if the families reach some kind of compromise, the State will not accept it, as it’s a crime against humanity and comes under ‘Fasaad Fil Arz’.”
Section 311
Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) empowers the state to punish a convict for a crime even if the legal heirs of the victim forgive the offender. In cases where the act is considered fasad-fil-arz—causing disorder or spreading terror in society—the court can award punishment on behalf of the state to ensure justice and deterrence. This provision was introduced to close a key loophole in honour based killing cases, where perpetrators would often escape punishment through familial pardons.
In 2004, Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was amended and strengthened through the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2004, during the Musharraf-era legal reforms.
However, it gained particular significance after the 2016 Anti-Honour Killing Laws were passed in response to public outrage over high-profile cases like that of Qandeel Baloch
The 2016 amendments clarified that even if the victim’s family pardons the killer, the state can still impose punishment under Section 311 if the offence is deemed to have caused fasad-fil-arz (mischief on earth).
Legal experts and human rights lawyers had questioned why Section 311 was not initially applied in the Quetta honour based killing case, despite the graphic nature of the killings and the public outrage it sparked. Given the video evidence and the deliberate, brutal execution of the couple, many argued that the crime clearly constituted fasad-fil-arz, making it imperative for the state to pursue punishment regardless of any compromise or familial pardon.
Condemnation continues
Meanwhile, the Women’s Action Forum (WAF) has strongly condemned the killing on the pretext of honour of the couple in Balochistan.
“It is alleged that the incident took place around Eid Ul Adha, and was known to regional authorities, however the video has surfaced recently. This raises concerns about whether regional authorities were aware of this situation and if so what measures were taken at the time to ensure that the perpetrators were held accountable? Despite the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences in the Name or Pretext of Honour) Act, 2016, which reformed the Pakistan Penal Code to ensure that such crimes are not left unpunished, including by removing the possibility of pardons by the family or wali, reports of honour-based killings continue to surface.
WAF has demanded an immediate investigation by the Government of Pakistan, as well as the provincial government of Balochistan, the prompt arrest of all individuals complicit to this killing, especially as several other individuals are clearly identifiable in the video, and are possibly still be at large. WAF also called for the immediate disbanding of jirgahs.
“An independent inquiry or Court appointed body must be constituted to look into if there was a delay on the part of the regional authorities such as police and provincial government and if so why action was not earlier,” said the statement.
Honour killing is not just limited to Balochistan, it has been seen across the country. HRCP data from January to November 2024 shows that at least 346 people were killed for ‘honour’ and these are only reported cases. There are many more that are unreported.
Meanwhile lawyer Jibran Nasir took to X and called for the suspension of authorities who did not act upon the crime when it happened.
“Suspend the Area SHO, SSP Operations, Magistrate and DC as well and take action against them for sitting quietly on this crime and not making any arrests till the video got viral,” he said. “This violence is not only a result of tribal law but it is also a result of the State’s complicity. To simplify the issue and limit the debate to tribal customs is the excuse the State wants to take. This violence is due to absence of writ of State and willingness and support of State officials for such tribal traditions. All areas where Tribal law is effectively practiced are done so under supervision of tribal leaders and local elders who go on to become MPA, MNA and Senators.”
Nasir said that all major political party had members who provided patronage to such customs.
“…they wine and dine at Islamabad Club pretending to be citizens of the modern world whereas they perpetuate and protect medieval traditions to solidify their own control,” he added. “If the State really wants to bring an end to such illegal and violence trial traditions enforce the writ of State, enforce the law and provide equal protection to all. The truth is no one wants to disturb the power centres in this country.”
Strongly criticizing the power flexed by the Sardars in Balochistan he said that they were free to hold their jirgas and settle any and all disputes any way they deemed fit with the blessing of the State.
“In 2008 5 bodies of women were found buried in Balochistan who were buried alive in the name of tribal traditions. Senator Israrullah Zehri at the time defended the traditions and customs without any shame or remorse,” he said.
“The Acting Chairman of Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali criticizes the female Senator Yasmin Shah for repeatedly raising the issue in Senate. Jan Mohammad Jamali went on to get PMLN ticket in 2013 and was eventually made Speaker Balochistan Assembly and is even the Assembly Speaker today as a member of BAP. Israrullah Zehri was elected for a second Senate term in 2012 as a member of Senate with support of PPP. In 2005 a female doctor was subjected to rape in Sui. An army captain Hammad was accused of the crime. The Chieftain of the Area Nawab Akbar Bugti wanted the State law to intervene. He wanted an investigation and a trial. He didn’t call for a jirga to publicly execute the Army Captain. In return Dera Bugti was bombed, the Nawab was forced into the mountains where he was eventually assassinated. The Captain never faced the law, the doctor was forced to flee the country.”