Video-"You Can Only Shoot Me": Shocking Honour Killing of Young Couple in Pakistan Sparks Global Outrage

Video of execution goes viral; 13 suspects arrested, including woman’s brother and tribal chief

A horrifying video has emerged from Pakistan’s Balochistan province, showing the public execution of a young couple allegedly for marrying against their families' wishes. The incident, believed to have occurred just three days before Eid-ul-Adha in May 2025, has sent shockwaves across Pakistan and the international community.

Chilling Video Shows Final Moments of the Victim

In the disturbing footage that has now gone viral, a group of men arrives in SUVs and pickup trucks in a desolate area near Quetta, the provincial capital. The young couple is forcibly removed from the vehicles. The woman, her head covered with a shawl, is handed a copy of the Quran and told to walk toward a deserted hilltop as onlookers watch in silence.

"Five years after marrying for love, Sheetal (24) and Zarak (32) were lured to a so-called 'death celebration' and brutally killed by the Baloch tribe.
Does 'honor' only find peace in death?
Why is love punished with murder?#Balochistan #Pakistan #CONCOURS #Baloch pic.twitter.com/tt0eb9xsnr

— Anam🇵🇸 (@jaffery_anam) July 21, 2025

Speaking in the local Brahui language, the woman turns to one of the men and says:

“Walk seven steps with me, then you may shoot me.”

After a short walk, she adds with chilling clarity:

“You are only allowed to shoot me. Nothing more.”

Taking this as a signal, the man raises his pistol and fires multiple rounds into her back. She collapses to the ground after the third shot, presumably dead.

Moments later, the video shows a blood-soaked man — believed to be her husband — lying motionless beside her body, as the crowd chants in celebration.

Victims Identified, Police Launch Investigation

The victims were identified as Bano Bibi and Ahsan Ullah, a couple who had recently married without familial approval. Following the video’s circulation, local police launched a full-scale investigation and have arrested 13 suspects so far, including:

• Sardar Satakzai, a tribal leader who allegedly ordered the execution

• Bano’s brother, who reportedly filed the complaint leading to the killing

According to Quetta Police Chief Naveed Akhtar, the order for the killing was issued by the tribal chief after the woman’s brother approached him, expressing anger over the marriage done without his consent.

Widespread Anger Across Pakistan and Beyond

The video has sparked a massive public outcry, both in Pakistan and internationally. Human rights activists, lawyers, and women's rights groups have condemned the act, demanding immediate justice and calling on the Pakistani government to criminalize honour killings more strictly and eliminate tribal parallel justice systems.

According to a 2024 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), at least 405 honour killing cases were officially recorded in the country last year. However, experts believe the actual number is significantly higher, as many incidents go unreported due to societal and familial pressures.

Activists Demand Urgent Legal Reforms

Activists are urging the government to take legislative action to prevent such killings. They are calling for:

• Strong penalties for honour-based crimes, regardless of tribal or cultural justification

• Accountability for tribal leaders who issue illegal decrees

• Protections for women who choose their partners against family or societal norms

• Public education campaigns to shift cultural attitudes around women’s autonomy

A Grim Reminder of Deep-Rooted Patriarchy

This heinous act has exposed the dark reality of patriarchal control and violence faced by women in many rural parts of Pakistan. The fact that the woman accepted her fate with such resignation — saying she could only be shot — underscores the normalization of brutality in the name of so-called "honour."

Global Voices Join the Call for Justice

International rights groups and foreign observers have also expressed concern over the incident, calling for transparent investigations and international pressure on Pakistan to address its human rights obligations.

“This is not just a local crime — it is a violation of basic human rights. The international community must stand in solidarity with the victims and push for justice,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch.

Conclusion

The honour killing of Bano Bibi and Ahsan Ullah is a horrifying reminder of the dangers faced by individuals who dare to defy oppressive traditions. As the video continues to circulate and the investigation unfolds, the pressure is mounting on Pakistani authorities to not only deliver justice but also to reform deeply rooted cultural systems that perpetuate such violence.