Barbarity disguised as justice has no place in any civilised society. Dragged into a desert somewhere in Balochistan and executed in cold blood, a man and woman became the latest victims of a brutal practice falsely justified in the name of ‘honour’. The killings, captured in a horrifying video circulated online, were reportedly sanctioned by a jirga, where a tribal leader allegedly declared the couple guilty of an ‘immoral relationship’ and ordered their deaths. This is murder – not justice.
At least 11 suspects have been arrested, and the case has now been handed over to the Serious Crimes Investigation Wing of Balochistan police. While this swift action is commendable, it does little to address the larger issue of the unchecked authority of jirgas. In many rural and tribal parts of Pakistan, jirgas have long served as traditional forums for dispute resolution. They are deeply rooted in custom and often fill the vacuum left by a slow and inaccessible formal justice system. But in the absence of state oversight, these gatherings can become sites of gross human rights violations, particularly against women and marginalised groups. When jirgas presume the authority to pass and execute death sentences – especially under the flawed pretext of honour – they cease to be mediators and become enforcers of cruelty. Honour killings must be treated as crimes against the state. No forgiveness agreements. No tribal settlements. No legal loopholes. Prosecution must be mandatory, and punishment severe.
A systematic dismantling of these informal courts is now necessary. The state must work to phase out jirgas and panchayats altogether by strengthening local judicial infrastructure and extending access to formal legal remedies across rural Pakistan. Where community mediation is necessary, it must occur within the ambit of the law, with oversight and accountability. The writ of the state must be enforced with an iron hand to stop such heinous acts from continuing.
Editorial published in the Express Tribune on 22nd July 2025