A young Baloch girl named Shetal was reportedly killed on the orders of a tribal jirga for marrying the man of her choice. The tragic incident, labeled an honour killing, has drawn widespread condemnation across Pakistan.
A graphic video of the event went viral online, showing Shetal being led by armed men to a remote mountainous area. Seconds later, gunshots were heard, and she fell to the ground. The video sparked shock and anger nationwide, prompting urgent calls for justice.
According to reports, a tribal jirga, an informal council still active in parts of Balochistan, sanctioned the killing. These jirgas operate outside the legal system, often enforcing outdated and brutal customs. In this case, the jirga reportedly declared Shetal’s love marriage a dishonor to the community.
Rights activists and social media users reacted strongly. Many described the act as a grave human rights violation. “Her only crime was choosing to love,” one user wrote. Women’s rights groups are now demanding immediate government action and an end to impunity for such violence.
The jirga system has faced criticism for years, especially in cases involving violence against women. Although illegal under Pakistani law, these councils continue to issue orders that often go unchallenged in remote areas.
Shetal’s murder is being seen as part of a broader pattern of honour-based violence in Balochistan. Activists argue that women in the region remain vulnerable, with limited access to legal protection. Critics blame local authorities for failing to enforce the law and protect vulnerable citizens.
Eleven suspects have reportedly been arrested in connection with the killing. Investigations are ongoing. However, many fear that justice may be delayed, or denied, once again.
Shetal’s death is a painful reminder of the challenges women still face in asserting basic rights, like the freedom to choose whom to marry. It has reignited the national conversation on honour killings and the need for legal reforms to dismantle traditional power structures that endanger women’s lives.
To read more about the arrests made in the case, visit 11 suspects arrested in Balochistan honor killing case.
