Writer: Qurban Baloch (SESA Leader)
Often referred to as Karokari, have grown to be a significant social issue, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan’s rural and tribal areas. This is a blatant violation of human rights and flagrant violation of the Pakistani law and Islamic dictates.
Unfounded accusations and ill will
As it is said, “honor” is often used as a shield. To resolve personal enmity, disputes over land ownership or property issues, people often falsely charge a woman from the family. They then murder her in order to hurt the other side or occasionally to obtain blood money.
Violation of fundamental human and Sharia rights
Adult, sane men and women are allowed to marry of their own free will under both Islamic and Pakistani law. It is ignorance and a pre-Islamic custom to kill someone for a marriage of choice.
In a same vein, it is totally unfair to kill someone based just on suspicion, such as witnessing them on the phone or making accusations without sufficient proof. There are strict rules in Islam for proving accusations, but most people are prosecutors and judges themselves.
Effects on women’s psychology
Fear and mental stress (trauma) are commonplace for women living in this setting. They’re not to be trusted by their own family. They have a detrimental effect on their growth and education. In addition, they are not free to move away for medical and other needs.
Often asked what their goals and personality are.
How to end this injustice?
To solve this issue, the following actions are crucial: Enforcement of the law as it applies: Though the state in Pakistan takes honor killings seriously and can prosecute even if the case is reconciled, the law’s application is highly restricted due to the weakness of the police and the influence of the influential people in rural areas. This trend will continue until the offenders get a hard punishment.
The Jirga System Chieftaincy System is not allowed.
Illegal Jirga and Tomans that impose illegal judgement and penalties on the women should be banned.
Early Matrimony
In some parts of Balochistan, early marriage is particularly common; some families get married before a kid is born. It is a serious infringement on women’s basic rights and has a negative effect on girls’ education, aspirations and future. In such relationships, the girl’s desires and views are often ignored, and the family-chosen relationship is maintained no matter what happens in the boy’s life, such as a bad habit of taking drugs or keeping bad company. The girl is forced to persist in the relationship in the face of this.
Awareness and education are key to this issue. This way of thinking should be changed in our society if we want women to be able to exercise their rights adequately and everyone to have the freedom to make their decisions in life. If the level of education and awareness does not increase, then such problems which hinder the progress of the society will continue to exist.