💔 A Modern-Day Execution: Couple Murdered in Balochistan in the Name of 'Honour'

By Asad Taizai | July 20, 2025

A haunting video recently surfaced from the coal-mining region of Sanjdi Deghari, near Quetta, Balochistan, sparking shock and outrage across Pakistan and beyond. The footage shows a young couple—later identified as Bano Satgzai and Ehsan Samalani—being executed in what has now been confirmed as an honour-based killing.

The act was not carried out in secrecy. It was filmed deliberately, likely by one of the perpetrators, and uploaded to social media. The video spread like wildfire—provoking horror, condemnation, and questions about law enforcement complicity in a region under tight security control.

🔫 The Final Walk

In the video, Bano, dressed modestly with a dupatta covering her head, is seen walking calmly, holding a copy of the Holy Quran. Dozens of men surround her in a deserted, rugged area. Before her execution, she addresses the group in Brahvi, saying: “You only have permission to shoot me.” She then hands over the Quran, turns her back to them, and is shot multiple times.

Ehsan, who was brought with her, is gunned down shortly afterward. The video shows him still moving when one of the attackers shoots him again at point-blank range. The screen fades to black. But the brutality lingers.

📍 Where Was the State?

The site of the murder lies within an area reportedly controlled by law enforcement agencies, particularly the Frontier Corps (FC). Advocate and activist Jalila Haider questioned how such a heinous act could take place in a high-security zone.

“The video was deliberately uploaded by the perpetrators’ own family as a way to glorify the act,” she said in a statement to Voicepk. “It’s clear this wasn’t a spontaneous crime. The killing was sanctioned by a local jirgah—a parallel tribal justice system that continues to operate despite being unconstitutional.”

Haider went further, suggesting that the district administration might have known about or even been present during the execution. “In such jirgahs, they decide everything—who dies, how many bullets are used, and when.”

⚖️ A Society Spiraling into Lawlessness?

This incident isn't an isolated case. Between 2019 and 2024, at least 212 people have been murdered across Pakistan in the name of "honour," according to data compiled by the Aurat Foundation. The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported over 143 such killings since 2018—most of them targeting women.

The HRCB issued a scathing statement:

“These crimes are not rare tragedies; they are symptoms of a larger disease—state neglect, tribal impunity, and a broken justice system.”

Women’s rights groups, including the Alliance Against Violence Against Women (EVAWG), have pointed out that such crimes are emboldened by lack of consequences and the exploitation of tribal customs as a legal loophole.

🚨 Government Reaction: Too Little, Too Late?

Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has ordered a probe into the incident and promised swift justice. One suspect is said to have been arrested, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under anti-terrorism laws. But so far, official statements have been vague, and there is no confirmation on the arrest of all those involved.

Shahid Rind, a provincial government spokesperson, called the act “inhumane and illegal,” promising that the culprits will be held accountable. But human rights advocates remain skeptical.

🧑‍⚖️ Legal Fraternity Speaks Up

The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) has strongly condemned the murders. In a rare move, they not only denounced the act but also criticized the state’s repeated failure to curb such violence.

“These are not crimes of passion or culture. They are crimes of power, patriarchy, and a lack of accountability,” read the SCBAP statement. “Those who killed this couple weren’t just taking two lives—they were challenging the writ of the state.”

Former SCBAP President Amanullah Kanrani emphasized that the crime violated fundamental rights protected under Articles 9 and 10-A of Pakistan’s Constitution. He called upon the Chief Justice to take suo motu notice and ensure that justice is delivered.

💔 When ‘Honour’ Kills Love

Bano and Ehsan reportedly married of their own free will—a decision viewed as an unforgivable offense in many tribal communities. But activists argue that the state’s silence is the real betrayal.

“This is not just about tribal customs,” said one women’s rights activist on condition of anonymity. “It’s about the failure of our judicial and political system to act. When lawmakers praise the burial of women alive in Parliament, what message do we send?”

She was referring to a notorious 2008 incident in Naseerabad, where eight women were buried alive, and a provincial assembly member defended it as “tradition.”

✊ The Path Forward

For Bano and Ehsan, justice will come too late. But their murder has ignited a renewed call for sweeping reforms:

The dismantling of jirgah systems that bypass the constitution.

Legal jurisdiction extended fully into tribal areas.

Special tribunals to investigate and fast-track honour killing cases.

Witness protection for whistleblowers.

And most importantly, societal change driven by education and awareness.

Until then, the graves of countless men and women like Bano and Ehsan will remain painful reminders of a nation at war with its own conscience.

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🕵️‍♂️ Asad Taizai – True Crime Enthusiast | Storyteller of the Dark Side 🔍