Brother Executes Sister in Shocking 'Honor Killing' in Pakistan

August 9, 2025 — In a chilling display of tribal justice, a brother in Pakistan executed his own sister in what has been widely described as an 'honor killing.' The event, captured on video and shared across social media, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for the eradication of the so-called 'tribal courts' that operate in parallel with formal legal systems.

The 'Honor Killing' in Detail

The incident took place in the Sanjidi Dergari coal mining area near Quetta in Balochistan province. The victim, Bano Bibi, and her lover, Ihsan Ullah, were lured under the pretense of a family lunch to a remote location, where they were surrounded by a group of men, including Bano’s own brother, Jalal Sattakzai.

According to police reports, Bano and Ihsan were accused of an 'unlawful relationship.' In a video that circulated online, Bano, holding a copy of the Quran, walked seven steps and told her brother, 'Now you can shoot me. But you must only kill me and do nothing else.' After three gunshots, she fell to the ground, followed shortly by Ihsan, who was also shot multiple times.

The execution was described as a 'tribal verdict' by local leaders, with Jalal Sattakzai acting on behalf of his family to carry out the sentence. The video has since gone viral, igniting fierce public debate and protests demanding the abolition of these so-called 'parallel judicial systems.'

A System of Violence

According to human rights lawyer and activist Jalila Haider, the killing was not an impulsive act but a carefully orchestrated one, with the involvement of tribal leaders and the family. 'This is a calculated act of violence,' she said. 'The authorities must ask themselves: why do these tribal courts still exist in the first place?'

Despite a landmark 2016 law criminalizing 'honor killings' and mandating life imprisonment or the death penalty for perpetrators, the law remains largely unenforced in rural and tribal regions. In Balochistan alone, out of 32 reported honor murders, only one has resulted in a conviction, according to the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO).

Family and Tradition

Bano’s mother, Gul Bibi, who appeared in court with her daughter’s case, defended the act as 'part of a centuries-old tradition' in Balochistan. She claimed that Bano had run away with Ihsan and returned, which 'shamed the family.'

However, human rights groups and activists argue that such 'traditions' are not only brutal but also deeply rooted in systemic gender inequality. The killing has once again exposed the gap between legal reform and on-the-ground enforcement in rural Pakistan.

Political and Social Fallout

The incident has drawn attention from Pakistan’s Parliament, with the Senate Human Rights Committee condemning the act and calling for stricter punishment for those who organize 'jirgas' or tribal councils. However, many activists remain skeptical about the real impact of such measures, especially in regions where the state’s presence is weak.

'The public may be outraged now, but as before, this will fade quickly,' said Jalila Haider. 'In many places, there is no real law, no real justice—only silence.'

As the video continues to circulate and the debate intensifies, one thing is clear: the fight against honor killings in Pakistan is far from over.