Pakistani police have arrested a suspect linked to a viral video that showed the brutal killing of a couple for marrying without their families’ approval. The arrest took place in Balochistan, where local authorities confirmed the couple was executed on the orders of a tribal council.
The disturbing footage surfaced on social media over the weekend. It shows a woman and a man being shot in a desert area. The woman, holding a copy of the Quran, tells the man to take seven steps with her before he shoots. She is then shot three times and falls to the ground. The man is also shown dead beside her, with others firing at both bodies afterward.
The video has triggered widespread outrage in Pakistan. It highlights the ongoing issue of honor killings, a practice where family members or local groups kill individuals, often women, for actions they believe have brought shame to the family.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed that one suspect has been arrested under terrorism charges. Authorities have identified several people involved and said more arrests are expected.
Honor killing video arrest is the latest case to bring attention to this deeply rooted issue in Pakistani society. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimates that nearly 1,000 women are killed each year by close relatives in so-called honor killings.
While Pakistan amended its laws in 2016 to prevent killers from escaping punishment through family pardons, the practice has not ended. Legal loopholes and social pressures continue to shield many perpetrators from justice.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also reacted to the incident. Sharing the video on social media, he called on citizens to fight against oppressive traditions rather than turn against the state.
The video’s content has not been independently verified by media outlets, but its viral spread has forced swift action from authorities.
This case has once again sparked debate over the need for stronger protections for women and stricter enforcement of anti-honor killing laws.
For more details on the successful operation, read the full report here.
