Pakistan: Two killed in 'honour' shooting in Swat district

Dubai: Two people were shot dead on Tuesday in a suspected ‘honour’ killing in Swat district of Pakistan, police confirmed.

The incident occurred when a young man entered a house of the suspect. According to Ali Bacha, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Ghaligay Police in Swat, the head of the household, upon noticing the intruder, immediately opened fire, killing the young man on the spot.

During the gunfire, the homeowner’s brother was also struck and later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.

Local authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

According to media reports, the deceased man was allegedly involved in an illicit relationship with a woman from the household, a common motive behind such tragic acts.

Honour killing

This incident is a stark reminder of the continued prevalence of ‘honour’ killings in Pakistan.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 531 people were victims of ‘honour’ crimes in 2024 alone. Of these, 346 were women, and 185 were men, with the highest number of cases reported in Sindh and Punjab.

Despite ongoing efforts to curb such violence, deeply entrenched cultural attitudes surrounding family honour continue to drive these deadly acts, particularly in rural areas.

As of late 2024, there were 83 reported cases in Sindh, 53 in Punjab, and smaller figures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the capital.