Honour killings remain prevalent in Pakistan and the writ of the state and judiciary in this matter is totally missing. The problem can arguably be pinned down to the enduring presence of certain patriarchal norms in society which makes anyone who challenges the will of the family or some archaic taboos a potential target. The impunity the perpetrators of this crime enjoy has arguably led to a state within a state as some appear to have been given a free hand to deny people their rights and commit violent acts. These crimes also seem to disproportionately target women. The ruling class has, sadly, neglected to address this problem. In fact, there are some among this class who have themselves committed honour crimes or have close ties to those who have, compromising the ability of the state to take decisive action on this issue.
Musrat Noraani
Islamabad