Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Friday strongly condemned incidents of Karo-Kari, calling them unacceptable and against the values of a peaceful society.
Addressing the issue in a firm tone, he said Sindh has long been known as a land of peace and security, and such outdated and inhumane customs have no place in the province. He emphasized that the killing of any daughter under the pretext of Karo- Kari is intolerable and will not be allowed under any circumstances.
“The Sindh government will not accept such acts in any form,” he said, adding that strict action would be taken against all those involved.
The home minister pledged that the perpetrators of such crimes would be brought to justice and punished according to the law. Highlighting the political stance of the ruling party, he pointed out that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has always supported women’s rights and empowerment. “Ours is a party led by women, and we stand firmly against all forms of violence and injustice against them,” he said.
Calling the issue deeply tragic, the home minister described Karo-Kari as an outdated and cruel tradition that violates basic human rights. He said law enforcement agencies are actively working to curb such practices and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals.
Lanjar also made it clear that no one would be allowed to convene jirgas that promote or justify human rights violations. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to bypass the law through such means.
To ensure a transparent investigation, senior police officer Sohai Aziz has been assigned to probe these incidents. The government, he reiterated, remains committed to eliminating such crimes and safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
The home minister’s comments come after a recent murder of a young woman, who was brutally shot dead in an alleged Karo-Kari incident in Bhutto Chandio village near Khairpur, with the FIR revealing shocking details of the murder carried out in front of police and villagers.
According to the FIR lodged at Tando Masti Police Station on behalf of the state, Wali Muhammad allegedly declared the woman, identified as Khalida alias Rubina, wife of Rashid Chandio, as ‘Kari’ and ordered others to kill her. Despite police warning the suspects not to open fire, three men allegedly fired shots at the woman with pistols at around 3:30am, killing her on the spot. The suspects then fled under the cover of darkness.
PPP MNA Nafeesa Shah condemned the killing and called for strict action against all those involved. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and once again highlighted the persistent threat of so-called honour killings and the urgent need for effective enforcement of laws to protect vulnerable women.
