Pakistan Police Arrest 14 in Connection to Viral 'Honor Killing' Video 

Pakistani police have arrested 14 individuals following the viral spread of a gruesome video depicting the so-called "honor killing" of a couple accused of an extramarital affair in Balochistan, as reported by Sky News. The footage, which sparked widespread outrage on social media, shows a group of over a dozen men surrounding vehicles in a desert area, executing a woman and a man in a brutal act that has reignited demands for justice.

In the video, a woman, her head covered with a shawl, is seen walking slowly in front of a vehicle, followed by a man, as the group watches. Local reports indicate she can be heard saying, “You are only allowed to fire at me. Nothing more than that.” A man then shoots her three times at close range, and she collapses after the third shot. Additional gunshots follow, with the footage showing a bloodied man lying near the woman’s body, both subjected to further gunfire from the group. The timing, precise location, and identities of the victims remain unconfirmed, and Sky News has not verified the video’s origin.

Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, addressing a news conference, condemned the act, stating, “No one has a right, no matter what, to kill someone in such a painful and disgusting way, and then video shoot it. It is a crime. It is a murder.” Initially, authorities suggested the couple was killed for marrying against their families’ wishes, but later clarified they were accused of an affair outside of wedlock.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reported at least 405 “honor” killings in 2024, with women being the primary victims, highlighting the persistent issue of gender-based violence in the country.