Seeking Justice: Confronting Honor Killing in Girdi Jungle

Honor killings have long been a menace in the tribal societies of Pakistan, with hundreds of reported victims annually and even more cases that go unreported. According to an Aurat Foundation Balochistan report, they received approximately 129 cases of violence last year, with a significant number of them being honor killings and incidents of domestic violence.

Quetta reported the highest number of cases, likely due to the accessibility of various organizations in the capital city, along with network and internet service where one can easily reach the concerned organizations. However, throughout the entire province, countless incidents go unreported due to the lack of internet services and general network coverage.

Another report from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) revealed that over 470 cases of honor killings were reported in 2021 alone. Human rights activists estimate that around 1,000 women become victims of honor killings each year in the country.

About four days ago, a similar horrendous incident was reported from a small town of District Chaghi, Balochistan – Girdi Jungle. It is a small refugee camp established in District Chaghi following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It is located near the Pak-Afghan Border and is sparsely populated by locals. Afghan refugees have settled here for decades, engaging in business and trade on both sides of the border.

However, this recent horrifying incident has shaken the area: the murder of a young girl in the name of honor. This act took place following a verdict issued by a so-called Jirga, where, based on the information available, a boy was set free while a girl was brutally killed due to the Jirga members’ forceful decision. The girl was shot dead by her own brother after the Jirga Head imposed the verdict, and the brother was left with no option but to do what he was instructed to. It has been reported that the Jirga Head received around 20 million rupees from the boy and subsequently absolved him of any charges, leading to the girl’s murder. While any allegations of sexual dishonor have not been confirmed, the act of murder itself is abhorrent.

Such incidents are rare in this region of Balochistan despite being a tribal zone, and this is one of the first instances of such an inhumane act. The Baloch nation has always demonstrated a wide range of secular beliefs and immense respect for women in society. Additionally, the lifestyle of people is simple and have lived in harmony and peace.

Therefore, local residents, as well as people from the entire district, have expressed their outrage on social media platforms, demanding the arrest of the Jirga Head and others involved in this heinous crime. There is also growing anger towards the District Authorities for their failure to deliver justice. Social activists, students, writers, and individuals from all walks of life have participated in trending topics on Twitter and posted on Facebook, condemning the act.

These unprecedented incidents will have a detrimental impact on society and may set unfavorable precedents for both the refugees and local communities in the future if not dealt with strictly this time. People in the refugee camp have often acted in ways that reflect their outlawed nature by being involved in other crimes, i.e., smuggling, robbery etc. Consequently, the locals have criticized the deputy commissioner for their inactive role in the district, especially in crime scene areas.

These incidents create an extremely insecure environment, particularly for the refugee camp’s women, who are already victims of gender-based violence (GBV). Moreover, the intervention of the local government, along with international non-governmental organizations, is seldom seen in this part of the province, which could help establish a safer environment for women and girls in the refugee camp.

We urge the deputy commissioner and other law enforcement agencies to take swift and decisive action against these horrendous crimes to discourage any future acts of barbarism and ensure the district remains safe and free from such inhumane incidents.