Honor Killing & Criminal Laws for Plaintiffs: Ethnographic Case Studies of Victims from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Shazia Ishaq1 & Faiza Bashir2

Abstract
Killing in the name of honor is a tactic used to maintain or restore family honor by putting an end to or killing females whose actions prompt whispers of unsuitable or inappropriate sexual behavior. However, neither the Holy Qur’an nor Sharia support nor permit the killing of someone for reasons of honor. One of the highest rates of honor killings worldwide occurs in Pakistan. This paper offers a critical evaluation of honor killings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and makes the case that the occurrence of these crimes is a result of the dominance of traditional
justice over legal principles. By focusing on the actors, this method demonstrates the justifications for honor killings as well as the incapacity of the legal system and the judicial system to hold offenders accountable. More harsh punishment of criminals is suggested in order to overturn conventional justice to prevent honor
killings.

Keywords: Honor Killing, crimes, traditional justice, traditions, violence