A 19-year-old girl named Karishma was allegedly killed in a suspected honour killing in the Rabat area of Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police and residents confirmed on Sunday. The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched an investigation into the incident.
Details of the Incident
According to the FIR, the victim was identified as Karishma, who had been living with her uncle. Her father is employed abroad, while her mother has passed away. Police stated that an investigation is underway, and efforts have been initiated to identify and arrest those responsible for the killing.
Residents reported that Karishma was allegedly strangled with a rope before being shot multiple times. They further alleged that the killing was carried out over accusations that she had been in contact with a boy through a mobile phone. Residents also claimed that, despite the FIR being registered, no arrests had been made at the time of filing this report. Police have not officially confirmed the motive behind the killing, stating that all aspects of the case are being investigated.
Community Outrage and Demands
Local elders, speaking at a press conference, claimed that Karishma was buried without funeral prayers (Janaza). They demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved in the alleged honour killing and warned that if the police failed to apprehend the suspects, they would block the Dir–Chitral main road in protest. The elders said such incidents must be stopped and justice must be provided to Karishma. They also alleged that she was an underage girl who was brutally killed with a strangled rope and attacked with an axe and gunfire.
Broader Context of Honour Killings in Pakistan
The incident has once again drawn attention to the issue of so-called honour killings in Pakistan, where women continue to face violence despite legal protections. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), citing data from the National Police Bureau, at least 470 women were victims of so-called honour killings during the past year. Of these cases, 189 were reported in Punjab, 126 in Sindh, 116 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 29 in Balochistan, and 10 in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The HRCP report also documented 3,815 cases of rape, 983 cases of gang rape, 69 cases of custodial sexual assault, and 223 cases of incest-based sexual assault. Additionally, domestic violence resulted in at least 1,332 murders and 2,912 cases of battery, while the Digital Rights Foundation received 2,586 reports of cyber harassment, the majority involving women in Punjab.
Call for Justice and Enforcement of Laws
Human rights organisations have repeatedly urged authorities to ensure prompt investigations, arrest suspects without delay, and strictly enforce laws aimed at preventing honour killings and other forms of gender-based violence. The killing of Karishma has sparked residents' emotions and has been highlighted on social media, with many demanding swift justice and an end to such brutal practices.
