Two women were shot dead by their close relatives in Keti Mumtaz area of Ratodero in Larkana district, Sindh, in an apparent case of killing in the name of ‘honour’. Guda Hussain Shaikh allegedly shot dead his niece Shabana, aged 18, and his wife Rashida, aged 28, after suspecting their ‘character’.
Talking to local media, Sikendar Ali, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Keti Mumtaz confirmed the killing of both women and said that after killing his wife and niece, Gada Hussain Shaikh surrendered to police where he confessed to having killed both for ‘honour’. The SHO added that the accused had registered a First Information Report (FIR) against one Mohammad Rafiq Narejo at Naudero Police Station accusing him of abducting his wife. He said that though both victims were allegedly abducted a few days back, they were returned to their relatives’ home when notables in the area intervened.
According to the SHO, “Deedar Ali, the elder brother of the main accused, took both women, including his daughter Shabana, to deserted place soon after their ‘recovery’ where Gada Hussain killed them by opening fire with a gun.” The SHO added that police had arrested both of the accused.
After autopsy, the bodies were handed over to their relatives for burial. At the time of this article, no FIR had yet been registered of the double murder.
Local NGO Sindh Suhai Sath, recorded that at least 176 were killed by family members in so-called ‘honour killings’ in Sindh last year — 48 men and 128 women — suggesting a rise in such cases. Reportedly, only 2 per cent of perpetrators in killings in the name of ‘honour’ in Pakistan are punished.
