SIALKOT - A woman was killed at Abiyala village of Sambrial tehsil of Sialkot on Tuesday in an apparent case of honour killing.

According to local media, Nida Bibi (18) died on the spot when her brother Haider Ali shot at her in her room.

The suspect had the suspicion that his sister had developed relations with a man of the same village, the police said. The suspect fled away after committing the crime.

Airport police have registered a murder case (No.201/2018) under sections 302 and 311 of the PPC against the suspect on the report of victim's father Rehmat Ali.

Police shifted the dead body to hospital for autopsy.

Honour killing:

The roots of honour killings lie in tribal social norms which remain prevalent across South Asia and dictate the behaviour of women in particular. Locally known as 'Karo-Kari', honour killing is the homicide of person(s) due to a belief that the victim has brought dishonour upon the family or community. The killing is viewed as reinstating of honour.

Pakistan has the highest number of documented honour killings per capita despite legal reforms. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recorded at least 280 such murders from October 2016 to June 2017 – a figure believed to be underestimated and incomplete.

According to statistics, some 500 women are killed every year in Pakistan at the hands of family members over perceived damage to ‘honour’.

A joint session of the Parliament had already unanimously approved anti-honour killing and anti-rape bills moved by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar back in 2016, but still, the implementation of laws in letter and spirit is the need of the hour.