Senators demand stronger action as honour killing sparks outrage in Pakistan Senate

Members of Pakistan’s Senate on Friday expressed serious concern over the rising cases of violence against women, calling for stricter law enforcement and improved conviction rates following the killing of a woman in Sindh in an alleged “honour” crime.

The debate was triggered by the murder of Rubina Chandio in Tando Masti, Sindh, which lawmakers said highlighted the continuing culture of impunity surrounding gender-based violence in the country. The incident reportedly came to public attention after videos of the killing circulated on social media, prompting widespread outrage.

Presiding over the session, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman said the conviction rate in honour killing cases stood at only around five percent, describing it as a “deeply alarming reflection of systemic failure.” She noted that while laws exist to address such crimes, enforcement remains weak and inconsistent.

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Senator Naseema Ehsan from Balochistan, who raised the issue in the upper house, said the victim was killed in public and denied basic dignity in burial rituals. She demanded the perpetrators be given the maximum punishment, saying such brutality must not go unpunished.

Senators across party lines condemned what they described as a growing pattern of violence against women, including honour killings, rape, and domestic abuse. Rehman stressed that these crimes are not limited to impoverished or rural communities, adding that patriarchal attitudes persist across all segments of society.

She warned that wealth and influence often enable silence and protection for perpetrators, further weakening accountability mechanisms. Lawmakers agreed that although Pakistan has legal frameworks in place, weak implementation continues to undermine justice.

The Senate referred the case of Rubina Chandio to the Human Rights Committee for urgent examination. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured the house that the government would support efforts to ensure accountability and justice.