A young couple in Karachi’s Malir area lost their lives in a targeted shooting on Monday, shortly after appearing in court to validate their free-will marriage. The victims, 20-year-old Nadia and 25-year-old Najeebullah, were attacked by unidentified armed men while traveling in a rental vehicle, in what authorities suspect was an honour killing.
The couple had married by their own choice, which led Nadia’s father, Aslam, to file an abduction case at Sachal police station on May 19. Subsequently, police arrested Najeebullah’s father in connection with the complaint. On Monday, the couple appeared before a Malir court and submitted their nikah (marriage certificate). After the court proceedings, the case was dismissed, and Najeebullah’s father was released.
Following the court session, the couple left in high spirits and were en route to a NADRA office in Saudabad when assailants opened heavy gunfire on their vehicle. Two other individuals, including the driver, were present in the car and managed to escape during the attack. Police indicated that the attackers had been tailing the couple since they left the court and targeted the rear seats of the car.
The couple had hired a taxi for their journey to Hyderabad. In response to the incident, Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho ordered an immediate investigation and demanded a detailed report from the Karachi police chief, emphasizing the urgent arrest of those responsible.
In a related case from January last year, a man killed his daughter and her friend in Karachi’s Rafah-e-Aam Society, citing honour as the motive after allegedly finding them together at his home. Pakistan criminalized honour killings in 2016 following the murder of social media personality Qandeel Baloch, closing a legal loophole that previously allowed perpetrators to avoid punishment if pardoned by family members.
Despite these legal measures, enforcement remains weak, particularly in rural regions where tribal councils exert significant influence. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has documented at least 405 honour killings in 2024 alone, with the majority of victims being women murdered by relatives claiming to protect family honour.
