In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the nation, Pakistani authorities have arrested 13 suspects in Balochistan after a horrifying video of an honour killing went viral on social media. The footage shows a young couple being executed in cold blood, reportedly on the orders of a tribal leader.The incident is believed to be linked to a so-called “honour” punishment—a brutal act rooted in outdated traditions where families or tribes take violent revenge when their honour is believed to be tarnished, especially by love marriages. These crimes often go unreported, hidden behind silence and fear.Police official Syed Suboor Agha told Al Jazeera that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely. Authorities are actively searching for the main suspect, the girl’s brother, who is believed to be directly involved and is currently on the run.The video, which quickly spread online, shows a group of armed men surrounding vehicles in a remote desert area. The woman, Bano, is separated from the crowd, while the couple is gunned down mercilessly—even after they collapse to the ground.According to data from the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), Pakistan recorded over 32,000 cases of gender-based violence in 2024 alone. Out of those, 547 were honour killings, including 32 in Balochistan. Shockingly, only one case has led to a conviction.Harris Khalique, General Secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), condemned the killings, calling them a “clear sign of how deeply medieval practices still dominate parts of our society.”He criticized the state for turning a blind eye, saying it continues to empower tribal and feudal leaders, rather than protecting its citizens and upholding the rule of law.Balochistan—despite being rich in natural resources—is Pakistan’s most underdeveloped province, often plagued by internal conflict and decades-long resistance movements. Women in this region face double layers of oppression—one from tribal patriarchy, the other from state indifference.Activist Sammi Deen Baloch, who campaigns for women’s rights in the region, expressed deep frustration. “Women here are killed for falling in love, silenced for speaking out, and forgotten by the system,” she said. “This isn’t just violence—it’s a pattern, it’s a policy, it’s power being enforced through fear.”She added that the government only responded because the video went viral. “Without public pressure, this case would have faded into silence like so many others.”