Honor Killing: Its Causes and Socio-Legal Controlling Mechanisms

According to Amnesty International, Honor killing is unlawful punishment given to women by their relatives for implicit sexual and marriage transgress (Amnesty International, 1999). The current increase in row of honor crimes, especially the honor killing in Pakhtun society is alarming. The strong hold of Pakhtun traditions in the society enhances social pressure for restoration of family honor and ensure face saving at any cost that leads to any extreme acts against powerless especially women, including their killing or making them to suicide. The poor law and order situation invites such events, as the killers are sure of avoiding any punishment or reducing its gravity. The voice of the victims is discouraged to become loud and remain unanswered or snubbed. Why the loving member of a family kills on from themselves? Is a question that echös loud? The current study attempts to identify people¿s perception of various institutional, cultural and legal causes of honor killing to come up with some possible solutions.