Honour Killing In Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan: A Perceptional Study in Kurram Agency

Arshad Khan Bangash, Niaz Muhammad

Abstract
This paper explores cultural and functional dynamics of honour killing
in Kurram Agency. A sample size of 377 respondents, comprising ‘Malik’
was randomly selected to assess the cultural endorsement of honour
killing. A conceptual frame work, based on cultural aspect of honour killing
and honour killing (Dependent Variable) was developed and crossed
tabulated to get inferences through the application of Chi-Square statistics
at bi-variate and multi-variate levels (Controlling Marital Status). The study
found that a strong belief pertaining to virginity of a woman has significant
association with honour killing. Moreover, strict adherence to customary
ways of life, restoration of honour with blood, rumors about dishonouring,
presenting act of dishonour in media, and practices of honour killing by all
tribes and sects residing in the study universe had significant association
with honour killing. At multi-variate level, the study found that married
people had no room of developing incest relationship and violation of their
honour had to meet with ultimate end. The study concluded that honour
killing had a strong cultural and social endorsement in the prevalent
Pakhtun tribal social order as it was practiced in all tribes and sects in
letter and spirit. Educating all stakeholders, pertaining to human loss
through honour killing, interpretation of virginity on scientific grounds
were presented some of the recommendation in light of the study findings.

Key Words: Maliks, Jirga, Kurram Agency, FATA, Pakhtunwali, and
Hamasaya