Pakistan is reeling from the release of a harrowing video that shows a couple being shot dead in Balochistan’s desert after marrying without family approval, reigniting national outrage over persistent honor-based violence. Authorities have detained 14 suspects, including a key tribal chief, accused of ordering the killings, and confirmed murder charges under terrorism statutes are underway.
This incident reflects the systemic problem of honor killings in the country—last year alone, human rights groups recorded 405 cases, a figure believed to be underreported due to social stigma and under-enforcement. The Chief Minister of Balochistan called the execution “painful and disgusting” and pledged full prosecution of those responsible.
In parallel, Balochistan is witnessing a surge in enforced disappearances, a deeply troubling pattern highlighted in Carls Baloch rights reporting from June, listing 84 disappearances and 33 extrajudicial killings, impacting students, poets, and activists alike. Family members and human rights fighters in cities such as Turbat, Kech, Noshki, and Karachi report abductions in broad daylight, further eroding trust in state institutions.
The arrest of human rights activist Gulzar Dost from Turbat marks another flashpoint. Taken away in plain clothes by CTD agents in early July and detained on charges including “provocative speech against the state,” his arrest generated condemnation from civil society and international rights bodies.
Pakistan’s press and assembly rights are also under assault. The proposed Federal Constabulary—a newly empowered paramilitary force—has drawn criticism over fears it will be used to suppress protests, particularly those organized by the opposition PTI party. Rights advocates warn this shift undermines democratic safeguards at a precarious political moment.
Human rights groups including Amnesty International and Paank have issued urgent calls for action. They demand the immediate release of detained activists, an end to enforced disappearances, transparent investigations, and repeal of repressive laws—alongside China’s disregard of legal procedure.
This wave of violence and repression—from honor killings that shock communities, to the systematic erasure of dissenting voices—underscores Pakistan’s escalating human rights crisis. Legal experts argue only swift legislative reform and accountability can prevent further erosion of civil liberties.
