A local court has sentenced a father and son to death in a harrowing case of so-called ‘honour killing,’ in which a young woman was brutally murdered by her own family.
Maria, a 22-year-old woman, was killed in the middle of the night on March 30 last year by her father, Abdul Sattar, and her brother, Muhammad Faisal.
The family members attempted to conceal the crime by quietly burying her body without informing authorities.
Following a trial, an additional sessions court found the father and brother guilty, sentencing them to death and imposing a fine of one million rupees each. However, Maria’s other brother, Muhammad Shehbaz, who filmed the murder, and his wife, Sumaira, were acquitted.
Police had earlier claimed that Shehbaz played a role in the crime. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Ibadat Nisar, Shehbaz was allegedly involved in handling Maria’s body, transporting it to the hospital, and arranging her final rites.
During the investigation, authorities booked Shehbaz and his wife, Sumaira, for their suspected involvement, with their DNA samples sent for testing. However, the court did not find sufficient evidence to convict them.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of ‘honour killings’ in the region, where women often fall victim to family violence under the pretext of preserving ‘honour.’ Despite legal measures, activists continue to call for stronger enforcement to end such brutal crimes.
