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Two Killed in ‘Honour’-Based Shooting in Swat’s Barikot Tehsil
Tragedy in Swat: Two men shot dead in an 'honour'-related incident in Barikot tehsil. Police launch investigation.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-22
Two Killed in ‘Honour’-Based Shooting in Swat’s Barikot Tehsil

Two men were shot dead on Tuesday in Swat’s Barikot tehsil in what police described as an ‘honour’-related incident, once again highlighting the ongoing and alarming trend of violence carried out in the name of perceived family honour.

According to Ghaligay Police Station House Officer (SHO) Ali Bacha, the incident took place in the Najigram area of Barikot when a young man, reportedly from the Maniyar area, entered a household in Najigram.

SHO Bacha said the head of the household discovered the man and immediately opened fire, killing him on the spot. During the chaos, the homeowner’s own brother was also hit by gunfire and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Local residents allege the deceased man had an illicit relationship with a woman in the household — a factor believed to have provoked the shooting.

Police have registered a case and started an investigation into the matter.

A Grim Pattern of Violence

This latest incident adds to the growing list of so-called ‘honour’ killings in Pakistan, a persistent issue fueled by societal norms that link family dignity to personal behavior, especially that of women.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the country saw a disturbing rise in such crimes in 2024. Between January and November, 531 individuals were killed in the name of honour — 346 women and 185 men.

Provincial breakdowns show that Sindh and Punjab reported the highest numbers, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 32 male victims during the year. Balochistan saw 16 male victims, while Islamabad reported one.

Despite legal reforms, including criminalizing honour killings, implementation remains weak and societal attitudes remain unchanged, enabling such acts to continue largely unchecked.

Human rights advocates have urged stronger legal enforcement and societal reforms to prevent further loss of life.

 
Tagged:

Swat

HumanRights

HonourKilling

GenderViolence
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