Pakistani police officials have said a newlywed couple were beheaded in the latest honor killing in the country’s northeast.
The officials further added that the couple, identified as Sajjad Ahmed, 26, and Muawia Bibi, 18, married against the wishes of their family in a court in Punjab province on June 18.
A local police official, Mohammad Ahsanullah, said the incident took place last Thursday in the village of Satrah in Punjab province.
Cultural traditions in many areas of Pakistan mean that killing a woman whose behaviour is seen as immodest is widely accepted.
A woman marrying a man of her own choice is considered an unacceptable insult to many families.
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, some 869 so-called “honour killings” were reported in the media last year. The true figure is probably much higher since many cases are not reported.
Under Pakistani law, the woman’s family are able to forgive the killer even if they are convicted. Many families nominate a member to do the killing and then formally forgive the killer.
Agencies/Canadajournal