A shocking twist in the Balochistan honour killing case, in which a woman and a man were brutally executed on video, has sparked national outrage after the victim’s mother publicly defended the murder, calling it a punishment in line with Baloch tribal customs.

 

The woman, identified as Gul Jan, claimed that her daughter Bano was “not a girl but a mother of five” and that the killing was a decision taken by a tribal jirga and not an act of dishonour. She appealed to authorities to release the arrested tribal chief Sardar Sher Baz Satakzai and others held in connection with the crime.

 

However, her statement has ignited widespread anger on social media, among human rights activists and celebrities, many of whom have strongly condemned the justification of murder under the guise of culture and tradition.

 

Actor and host Anoushey Ashraf wrote, “Imagine the patriarchal mindset they all respect and live by calling it ‘tribal, sacred’ values. This is exactly what our dear Prophet (SAW) was fighting against. Exactly what he deemed barbaric and pagan. Even today we do such things under the umbrella of religion.”

 

Actor Farhan Saeed also reacted emotionally, questioning the circumstances behind the mother’s statement: “Once you take away a child from a mother and then make her say this, how will we ever face Allah? What were we doing when all this was happening?”

 

Veteran actor Simi Raheal expressed disbelief saying, “Custom??? A custom of killing!!? This tribal practice should be punishable!!!”

 

The public also raised serious questions about the authenticity and pressure behind the mother’s statement. 

 

One user commented “Pata nahi kitna pressure hoga bechari pe yeh bolne ka.”

 

Another wrote, "Just imagine how much his mother must have been threatened and intimidated, that if she didn’t give a statement, no one would be spared. This isn’t happening for the first time in Pakistan, nor will it be the last."

 

Another user said, “Zahir hai sardar ke khilaf bayan degi to apni jaan bhi ganwa degi.”

 

Many others expressed frustration over how such killings continue to be rationalised, “It doesn't matter because Islam doesn't allow it. Murder ko justify karne ke liye ab 100 stories banayi ja rahi hain, even us aurat ke character pe bhi ungli uthai ja rahi hai. Jo bhi tha! Murderers aapke samne hain, unhe saza do!”

 

The killing came to light after a harrowing video went viral showing a woman and a man being taken to a remote area, separated, and then executed. The woman, holding a copy of the Quran, asked the shooter to walk seven steps with her and told him, “You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that.” She was then shot three times.

 

The video also shows the bloodied body of a man lying beside her, while the group of men is seen firing additional rounds at both corpses.

 

The woman, identified as Sheetal, had reportedly married a man of her choice, an act her family considered a violation of tribal customs. According to officials, the suspects include her father, brothers, and other relatives who claimed the killing was to preserve "honour."

 

After this incident, police had arrested 14 suspects over what has been deemed "honour killing" of the couple, including Sardar Sher Baz Satakzai who allegedly ordered their deaths. Sheetal's mother, however, has come forward defending the act and calling for the release of those detained.