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One of the worst vices of our society, honor killing, has returned to mainstream media. After Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s Oscar winning documentary on honor killings in Pakistan, a lot of talk and action had been linked with the issue.
Even though the number of honor killings have lessened in Pakistan ever since the issue was raised on national level, cases still pour out from different places in the country. Recently, a young bride was murdered by her husband in the name of honor.
Maryam Bibi, who was a resident of Shahra-e-Noor Jehan, Karachi, was allegedly given poison by her husband and murdered for honor. Apparently, Maryam Bibi had been talking to other men on her phone, which her husband discovered. In return, he gave her poison and took her life.
However, parents of Maryam Bibi who have protested against her murder, think and say otherwise. According to them, the husband murdered his wife without any reason and Maryam had not been in contact with anyone else. Maryam Bibi and her husband have a 10 month old son, who longs for his mother’s cradle.
According to the report, Maryam Bibi had returned from her in-laws in a very critical condition, as she fainted upon reaching her parents’ house. Salhe was then taken to a nearby hospital, kept in the ICU for one day, before she succumbed to the venom and gave up the ghost. Maryam Bibi’s parents are demanding justice.
After her death, parents visited the police at least 10 times but the police would not lodge an FIR against Maryam’s husband. It was only when tv channel Dunya News took notice of the issue and stormed the police station that an FIR was lodged against the suspect. The police then ensured Maryam’s family that a thorough investigation would be conducted and the culprit will be apprehended. The SHO also stated that the case would go to court.
As sad as it is, honor killings in Pakistan can be curbed, but they can never be eradicated with ease. Insecure husbands who doubt their wives resort to honor killings to release their anger. However, most of them end up regretting the moment of heat all their lives, as they ruin many more lives than just one with their antics.
