Editorial
By: Dr. Busharat Elahi Jamil
Social, moral, and religious values are all seriously deteriorating in Pakistani society. Instead, it wouldn’t be incorrect to argue that we are touching on social and religious intolerance and narrow-mindedness in every way. We know that we use religion, so-called social ideals, and compromise over the actual advancement of humanity to justify our extremism and degeneration. Unfortunately, we frequently treat ourselves as slaves or subordinates to others in order to preserve our social status and tyranny. We also frequently deprive ourselves of humanity and violate human rights, forgetting that laws and principles are meant to benefit humanity rather than harm it.
Unfortunately, religious monopolies, the erosion of human values, humanity, and human rights, and some social behaviors that we are torturing mankind by embracing as rituals are all key contributors to Pakistan’s societal downfall. The two most recent reports of karo-kari (karo-kari means BLACK, with karo meaning’man’ and kari meaning ‘woman’) in Baluchistan and Rawalpindi are the worst occurrences. In truth, this is a sort of honour killing that is commonly practiced in Pakistan’s interior, particularly in tribal areas. Unfortunately, the tragedy does not end here; these are only two occurrences that have been brought to light, with the vast majority of them being unreported. It illustrates how our culture prioritizes its own self-made social prestige over human principles. Beyond the religious teachings on the value of human life.
In most cases of honour killing, the killer is spared because the plaintiffs are members of the victim’s own family or weak people, or because a powerful tribal system of sardars provides barriers to justice. The plaintiff in the incident that occurred in Baluchistan is the State; otherwise, the victim’s (lady) mother supported the verdict of the Jirga, demonstrating the approach and narrow-mindedness of the tribal people, as well as the influences of sardars; this is unquestionably a situation that requires a lot of criticism.
More than 250 honour killing events were reported in 2017, with more than 400 expected in 2024, whereas more than 1000 women were victims in 2011. Karo-Kari (honour killing) is absolutely antithetical to human rights, religious injunctions, and individual freedom, and the perpetrators are aware of this and flee into hiding following the crime. This inhumane practice can be put an end to by strong regulation, increased awareness, and harsh punishment for those who engage in it. The legal system’s weakness and strength are the primary causes of such instances. Political institutions, media, and human rights organizations can all play a helpful role in raising awareness about these types of rituals.
