Balochistan: Pregnant Woman and Her Unborn Child Killed in “Honor” Killing

In a tragic incident in Dulwai Sadhr, Barkhan district, Balochistan, a pregnant woman was brutally killed in the name of “honor.” Authorities have confirmed the killing. The victim has been identified as Zarbank, daughter of Bahar Khan. According to reports, Jabar Mari allegedly shot his seven-month pregnant wife, resulting in her death and that of her unborn child. This incident highlights the ongoing and alarming pattern of honor killings in Balochistan. Local journalist Ahmed Mari noted that due to the remote location of the area, no post-mortem was conducted, and the body was not transferred to a hospital. Such cases often remain hidden because of tribal customs and fear of social stigma, which is why they rarely attract the public attention that similar incidents in major cities do. Statistics further underline the gravity of the situation. According to Awami Foundation, in 2024, Balochistan reported 11 cases of sexual assault against women and 73 other crimes. Among these, 43 women were killed, 7 sexually assaulted, 4 committed suicide, and 2 were abducted. Experts stress that honor killings are a severe violation of human rights. This is not a tribal issue or a matter of custom—it is a direct assault on human life and dignity. Similar cases, such as Bano Bibi and Ehsan Ullah, were also suppressed under the guise of tribal problems, and the Barkhan incident now seems to be following the same pattern. Civil society, human rights organizations, and aware citizens must raise their voices against such atrocities. This is not just the murder of a woman but the killing of a mother and her innocent unborn child. If society remains silent, these tragedies may become normalized, and hope for justice will continue to fade.