Press For Peace(PFP) demands tightening of Honour Killings Laws

Islamabad (Pakistan)
18th July 2009
Press For Peace (PFP) -a non-governmental organisation working on the noble cause
of promoting and protecting human rights and media awareness among the people,
has blatantly criticised the brutal murder of seven people belonging to the same
family in Charsadda NWFP. PFP demanded that government should reform the
honour killing laws in order to reduce such wicked incidents in the country.
“It is responsibility of the government to make honour killings laws in lines with
Islamic model so that culprits do not go scot-free”.

According to initial investigation reports it comes to the fore that the main factor
behind this heart-rending incident is the love marriage of a couple of the son of Mr.
Sher Ali a resident of Charsadda, NWFP, Pakistan.
T.H Shah, Director Research in Press for Press (PFP), remarked that killings in the
name of honour should not be condoned under any circumstances as some people
quench the thrust of their revenge against the family, person, or community they are at
loggerhead with.
“Honour killings is not only the result of some cultural values but it is product of
negatively perceived some Islamic teachings as well”, he further said.
He maintained that though the amendments have been made in the discriminatory
honour killings laws in Pakistan, but a lot has yet to be done in a wake of current
honour killings crimes in Pakistan particularly in NWFP and Balochistan.
Shah also highlighted the significance of forensic science to investigate such cases
and said that unfortunately Pakistan lacks such institutions imparting education on
forensic science. Therefore, it is urgent areas necessitating attention of the
government to launch department of forensic science in academic institutions at
graduation and post graduation level.
“With the help of forensic science, the investigation process can be made more
objective to get mathematical results and that real culprits can be brought to justice
thus providing redressel to the affected people.
He also demanded across-the-board investigation of this murder case with
involvement of judicial bodies as well.
For feedback: pressforpeace@gmail.com
For Further Details: www.pressforpeace.org.uk