QUETTA – A horrifying video emerged on social media showing the brutal killing of a young couple in Balochistan, purportedly in the name of so-called ‘honour’. The video, which began circulating widely on Sunday, has triggered widespread condemnation across Pakistan, exposing once again the brutal reality of honour-based violence in the country.
The victims, identified as Ehsan Samalani and Bano Satakzai, were allegedly murdered by members of their own community after contracting a love marriage without the permission of their families. According to sources, the couple was invited to the Dagari area for lunch and then taken to an isolated mountainous spot, where they were told that local tribal elders had decided on their execution.
In the graphic footage, which was apparently filmed around Eidul Azha, the couple is seen surrounded by armed men speaking Brahui, a regional language spoken in parts of Quetta and Mastung. The woman, dressed in a red outfit with a wheat-coloured chador, is heard calmly saying, “Only shooting is allowed, nothing else.” She asked for a brief moment to walk a few steps before being shot.
A series of gunshots followed, with a voice in the background commanding: “Kill him.” The identities of the shooters are believed to have been verified through facial recognition technology and NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) records. One of the main suspects has been arrested.
State Takes Over as Complainant
What sets this case apart is the government’s decision to act as the official complainant, as no family members of the victims came forward to file a report — a common occurrence in honour killing cases due to fear, complicity, or cultural pressure.
The case has now been registered under anti-terrorism laws on the orders of Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, who vowed that “the rule of law will not be compromised” and that “those who challenge the writ of the state will be dealt with firmly.”
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, speaking at the Karachi Press Club, confirmed that the victims’ names and tribal affiliations have been identified, though withheld for security reasons. He said, “The provincial government will not remain a silent spectator in the face of such cruelty. All legal means will be used to bring those responsible to justice.”
He further stated that all individuals visible in the video have been identified through NADRA data, and raids are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.
Civil Society, Political Leaders React
The video’s release has ignited a firestorm of outrage across Pakistan. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the murder, calling the perpetrators “beasts who deserve no mercy.”
Aladdin Khilji, provincial director of Aurat Foundation and chairman of the Balochistan EVAWG Alliance (Ending Violence Against Women and Girls), said:
“This video has shaken us to the core. It is a stark reminder that honour killings remain a brutal reality in Balochistan. From 2019 to 2024, 212 people have been murdered in the name of honour.”
Human rights groups are demanding that jirga-style justice — where local elders issue extrajudicial punishments — be outlawed and that state authorities firmly enforce legal protections for women and marginalized communities.
Public Appeal for Information
The provincial government has urged the public to share any information that may help identify or locate the remaining suspects. While the bodies of the victims have not yet been recovered, officials have vowed not to rest until justice is served.
Conclusion
This case is a chilling reminder of how traditional customs, gender-based violence, and legal impunity intersect in rural Pakistan. But with the state stepping in decisively — and the public’s eyes on the case — this tragedy could serve as a turning point in the fight against honour killings.
