In a harrowing wave of violence across Pakistan, four separate cases have once again underlined the sheer danger that women and couples even those legally married under Islamic law face across the country. From urban centers to remote towns, these brutal killings paint a disturbing picture of a society where misogyny is deeply rooted and justice remains elusive.

Shot Dead in Karachi: A Couple’s Escape Ends in Blood

The bullet-riddled bodies of Sajid Masih and 17-year-old Sana Asif were discovered in Karachi’s Boat Basin area on Monday morning. The couple, both from Gujranwala, had reportedly eloped and married of their own free will.

Police found a mobile phone, cash, and two 9mm shell casings at the scene. Sajid had converted to Islam and produced a nikahnama as proof of marriage. According to South DIG Syed Asad Raza, Sana’s brother Waqas had earlier filed a kidnapping FIR under Section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code. The officer suspected that the killer was someone close, someone the couple trusted. Waqas has now been taken into custody.

The couple had sought safety in Karachi, but the shadow of honor-based retribution followed them across provincial lines.

Murdered Over a Dinner Invitation: Balochistan’s Honour Killing

In Mastung district, Balochistan, 27-year-old Muhammad Shoaib and his pregnant wife Benazir were gunned down in cold blood after Benazir’s family invited them to dinner. The couple had married through court seven years ago and had two children.

Benazir’s brothers allegedly orchestrated the killing. According to police, they called the couple to Quetta, shot them at a hotel, and fled the scene. Shoaib had only recently reconciled with Benazir’s family. The message is clear: forgiveness is often just bait, and women are seen as family property.

A murder case has been registered, but whether justice will follow remains uncertain.

Strangled and Buried in Secret: Rawalpindi’s Chilling Tale

Eighteen-year-old Sidra was strangled to death by her relatives in Rawalpindi over suspicions of a friendship with a boy. Her body was buried in secret during heavy rains, a tactic often used to hide honor crimes.

However, the grave was exhumed after a tip-off. Post-mortem results confirmed signs of torture and deliberate murder. Eight suspects have been arrested, including close family members. Forensic investigations are ongoing.

Sidra’s death, like many others, is a painful reminder that even suspicion of autonomy can be a death sentence for a woman in Pakistan.

Child Assault in Kasur: A Society’s Broken Morality

In another sickening incident, a man in Kasur was arrested after allegedly assaulting a minor girl in Shah Inayat Colony. The act was caught on CCTV and widely circulated, triggering public outrage. The suspect, Nasir Wattoo, was later found injured by a gunshot to his private part and taken to the hospital.

Though police acted swiftly in this case, such crimes continue to occur frequently, exposing the deeply rotted fabric of moral and legal failure in society.

A Pattern of Impunity and Patriarchy

These stories are not isolated. They form a pattern rooted in patriarchal beliefs, religious hypocrisy, and a state machinery that only occasionally delivers justice. Even marriages conducted under Islamic law are not enough to guarantee safety. Women are still seen as liabilities or possessions, and their desire for autonomy is treated as a crime.

What makes these incidents more horrifying is the growing trend of public and legal tolerance. Many perpetrators walk free, some after spending a few weeks in custody. Others are protected by community elders, jirgas, or simply by corrupt law enforcement.

The reality is stark: Pakistan remains dangerously unsafe for women and couples who dare to challenge oppressive norms. And until perpetrators are punished swiftly and publicly, the country will continue to be a breeding ground for monsters who act without fear because they know they’ll likely never face consequences.