Questions arise: if a video of the killing exists
why weren’t the Jirga proceedings or Bano’s
testimony recorded as legal evidence?
Shabana Ayaz
In a harrowing case of alleged honor killing, a couple was brutally murdered in Sanjidi Degari, a remote village in the Naseerabad district. The victims, Bano Satakzai, a mother of five, and Ehsanullah Smalani, a father of four, were reportedly shot dead after Bano returned to her former husband following a marital dispute with Ehsanullah.
A heart-wrenching video circulating on social media shows Bano holding the Holy Quran, declaring her Nikah to Ehsanullah was legitimate—not an illicit affair. Despite this, both were executed, allegedly by individuals enforcing tribal “justice.”
Balochistan High Court and CM Demand Swift Action
The Balochistan High Court Chief Justice ordered the exhumation of Bano’s body and the arrest of 11 suspects. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti called for a thorough and speedy investigation. He clarified that both Bano and Ehsanullah were legally married with children, dismissing allegations of immoral conduct.
However, questions arise: if a video of the killing exists, why weren’t the Jirga proceedings or Bano’s testimony recorded as legal evidence?
Honor Killings on the Rise Across Pakistan
This incident is not isolated. Similar cases have been reported nationwide:
- Gujranwala: Two sisters, Anila and Sania, were killed by their parents for marrying by choice.
- Jhang: A 19-year-old student was poisoned after rejecting a marriage proposal.
- Lahore (Iqra case): A woman was killed by her husband.
- Hafizabad: A girl was gang-raped.
These crimes reflect a toxic mindset that criminalizes a woman’s consent and treats her rejection as a threat to male “honor.”
Islamic Scholars Condemn Honor Killings
Islam strictly prohibits honor killings. Such acts are rooted in pre-Islamic ignorance (Jahiliyyah). The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The best among you is the one who treats his women the best.” – Tirmidhi
The Pakistan Ulema Council has labeled honor killings as un-Islamic and equated them with terrorism. Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi and scholars from Darul Ifta Deoband reaffirmed that only a court can issue punishment for zina, not individuals. Vigilante justice, they say, is both a sin and a crime.
Pakistan’s Weak Implementation of Honor Killing Laws
Although Pakistan’s legal framework addresses honor killings, implementation remains ineffective:
- 2016 Amendment: Classifies honor killings as premeditated murder with a minimum sentence of 25 years, even if heirs forgive the killer.
- Qisas and Diyat Law (1990): Often lets relatives escape punishment through forgiveness loopholes.
- 2013 Ruling: Late Justice Noor Muhammad Maskanzai ordered honor killing cases to be tried in anti-terrorism courts—a directive that remains unenforced.
Investigations often collapse under tribal pressure, poor police work, and lack of documentation. In Bano’s case, the absence of official recordings could undermine justice.
Official Condemnations and Social Media Uproar
Chief Minister Bugti condemned the killings and promised action. Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz called the incident “an attack on the conscience of humanity.” The Pakistan Ulema Council urged anti-terrorism court trials and maximum punishment for the killers. The Supreme Court Bar Association echoed these calls, affirming that Islam and Pakistan’s Constitution allow no space for honor killings.
Public outrage on social media was intense. One user asked:
“Why is honor always linked to women? 90% of perpetrators go unpunished.”
A Dangerous Double Standard
There exists a troubling hypocrisy: when a foreign woman marries a Pakistani man, she is praised. But if a local woman exercises the same right, she risks death. Tribal traditions and the Jirga system reinforce these violent norms, despite being un-Islamic. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 422 honor killings were reported in 2020—most of them women.
A Call to Action: What Needs to Change
- Religious Awareness Campaigns
Mosques, madrasas, and religious scholars must educate the public on Shariah’s actual stance on Nikah and women’s rights. - Stronger Legal Measures
Honor killings should be tried as terrorism. The Jirga system must be declared illegal, and strict, transparent investigations should follow every incident. - Video Documentation in Trials
Every tribal or community proceeding must be recorded to ensure admissible legal evidence. - Media Responsibility
Broadcast and digital platforms must actively promote awareness about women’s rights in Islam. - Family Education
Families should be sensitized to respect their daughters’ choices and abandon toxic notions of pride and shame.
A Woman’s Right to Life Must Be Non-Negotiable
Bano Satakzai’s case is a stark reminder that the right to life, dignity, and choice remains under threat for many women in Pakistan. She held the Quran to defend her marriage, yet her voice was silenced. If the state alone holds the authority to punish, how can society justify vigilante justice?
Honor killings are haram in Islam and punishable under Pakistani law. Yet until societal attitudes change, neither law nor religion will offer true protection.
CM Sarfraz Bugti’s statement that Jirga systems are a “social reality” is deeply troubling. If such tribal justice is normalized, what other crimes will be excused next?
It’s time to reject ignorance disguised as tradition. A woman’s right to live is not just a legal issue—it’s a moral and religious imperative.
