New Delhi, May 06: At least 470 cases of so-called “honour” killings were reported in Pakistan last year, according to a report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which described the crime as an “endemic problem” amid rising gender-based violence.
The report said women were killed by family members and close relatives in the name of “honour”. Human rights activists, however, estimate that nearly 1,000 women are murdered annually in such crimes.
The commission termed the trend “alarming”, noting an increase in cases despite stricter laws introduced to curb the practice. More than one-third of the reported cases were from Punjab, where conservative social structures often prevail.
The report also documented 1,332 murders linked to domestic violence, 3,815 rape cases, and 2,586 instances of cyber harassment against women. Overall, incidents of gender-based violence rose by 25 per cent during the year.
Additionally, the report highlighted overcrowding in prisons, with occupancy reaching 171 per cent of capacity, and noted that over 21,600 Pakistani citizens are imprisoned abroad.
Despite legislative measures introduced in 2016, weak enforcement and entrenched social norms continue to hinder efforts to eliminate honour-based violence, the report said.(GK)
