February 20, 2026
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
A young teenage girl was shot dead on Wednesday in what police describe as an alleged “honour” killing in the Dawan Shah locality within the jurisdiction of the New Faujdari police station in Shikarpur.
The deceased, Sumaira, daughter of Amanullah Bhutto, was allegedly killed by her paternal cousin, Gulzar Bhutto, who fled the scene along with two accomplices.
Police said they rushed to the spot after receiving information about the murder and shifted the body to a hospital for a post-mortem examination. After completion of medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to the heirs.
An FIR dated February 2, 2026, has been registered under Sections 302 (murder), 311 (fasad-fil-arz), and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the New Faujdari police station.
According to the FIR, police were informed about a murder in the area. Upon reaching the locality, officers reportedly saw three individuals running away with pistols and stated that the suspects could be identified if seen again.
When police entered the house of Amanullah Bhutto, they found his teenage daughter lying dead with gunshot wounds, while women in the house were crying. Police were informed at the scene that the girl had been killed on the pretext of “honour.”
The FIR names Gulzar Bhutto as the main accused and states that he was accompanied by two other individuals, all armed with pistols. Police attempted to arrest them, but the three suspects managed to escape.
Motive linked to phone conversations
A police officer told Voicepk.
“The girl was shot with a pistol, which resulted in her death. She used to talk to someone on the phone, and her cousin Gulzar had told her not to speak to anyone. This is the reason Gulzar killed his younger cousin’s sister.”
“There were no men in the house when Gulzar opened fire on Sumaira,” the officer added.
The Investigation Officer, Muhammad Zafar, told Voicepk, “The father of the suspect has been arrested. The other two accused, Gulzar Bhutto and one unknown person, have fled. The investigation is underway to arrest them.”
He further stated, “Gulzar doubted his cousin’s sister. Sumaira used to talk to her maternal cousin on the phone, and Gulzar did not like it. They accused her of having an illicit relationship.”
Meanwhile, the victim’s paternal aunt, Hajani, expressed shock over the incident, stating: “We have no idea who killed her and why; we were only informed of her death.”
Voicepk attempted to contact Sumaira’s immediate family for their version of events; however, no response was received till the filing of this report.
Violence against women in Sindh: A worsening crisis
Sumaira’s killing comes amid an alarming surge in violence against women across Sindh.
According to a recent factsheet compiled by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), based on data obtained from the police department through Right to Information requests, a total of 3,505 cases of violence against women were registered in Sindh between January and June 2025 alone. These cases included 331 incidents of rape, 2,439 kidnappings, 201 so-called honour killings, 329 cases of physical abuse, and 205 cases of harassment. The data further indicates that, on average, 23 women faced violence every day in Sindh during this six-month period, while approximately 16 women were kidnapped daily.
Despite the high number of reported cases, conviction rates remain critically low. Out of 3,505 registered cases, only 20 resulted in convictions — just 0.6 percent. Another 79 cases ended in acquittals, while 477 were withdrawn. Meanwhile, 982 cases remain under investigation and 1,165 are under trial.
Shikarpur among districts with highest honour killings
The report further reveals that 32 cases of honour killings were registered in Shikarpur district between January and July 2025, making it the second-highest district for such crimes. Qamber Shahdadkot ranks first, with 56 registered honour killing cases during the same period.
Of the 56 cases in Qamber Shahdadkot, 34 were withdrawn, with zero convictions recorded in the district. In Shikarpur, out of 32 cases, only one resulted in conviction and one in acquittal.
The data underscores a pattern of impunity, where perpetrators of so-called honour crimes often evade accountability.
A pattern of control and violence
Sumaira’s killing reflects a recurring pattern in cases labeled as “honour” crimes — where suspicion, control over women’s mobility or communication, and allegations of “illicit relationships” are used to justify lethal violence.
Human rights advocates have long argued that such killings are not acts of honour but gender-based violence rooted in patriarchal control and the failure of law enforcement and the justice system to ensure accountability.
As investigations continue in Sumaira’s case, her death adds to a growing list of young women in Sindh whose lives have been cut short in the name of “honour,” in a province where convictions remain the rare exception rather than the rule.