QANDEEL WAS NOT THE LAST: REVISITING HONOR KILLING IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

In Pakistan, saying “no” can be a death sentence — and so can saying “yes.” Whether a woman dares to reject a suitor or chooses her own partner, she risks being silenced forever in the name of honour. This paper revisits the chilling reality of honour killings, taking Qandeel Baloch’s high-profile murder as a starting point — not a conclusion. It examines how deeply patriarchal norms, cultural rigidity, and religious misinterpretations continue to sanction the killing of women for exercising basic rights. With the help of recent, viral, and lesser-known cases across different provinces, this study reveals a disturbing pattern: honour crimes are not just tolerated but often go unpunished. Through a combination of cultural analysis, legal loophole exploration, and media reflection, the paper questions how long this impunity will persist — and what it will take for honour to stop costing lives. Qandeel was not the first, and tragically, she was not the last.