SHANGLA: A man, aided by his brother, killed his five months pregnant wife here for 'honour', accusing her of infidelity, local police said on Saturday.

Minat Sajida, a resident of Dandai area of Besham tehsil of Shangla district, was shot dead after her husband accused her of having extra-marital relations, the deceased woman's brother told local police.

Afzal Khan, Station House Officer (SHO) of Dandai police station, said the victim's brother claimed his sister had been married to Bajreen for 14 years and they had four children. But Bajreen believed he was not the father of the child she was expecting, he added.

The police officer confirmed that the woman was five months pregnant and was killed using a pistol. Both Bajreen and his brother are missing since the murder.

"In the last eight months, three honour killing incidents occurred within the precincts of Dandai police station and most of the culprits were arrested and sent to prison," the police official told Dawn.com.

The killing comes a week after popular social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch was killed in Multan for 'honour', sending shock waves across the country, prompting widespread criticism of so-called honour killings.

Women rights activist and politicians called for renewed efforts to curb the menace that has plagued the country for decades.

Related: PML-N to pass law against honour killings following Qandeel's murder, says Maryam

Two days ago, a committee comprising lawmakers from both the lower and upper houses of the parliament unanimously approved two bills aimed at tackling honour killings and boosting rape convictions.

Under the new law, relatives of the victim would only be able to pardon the killer of capital punishment, but they would still face a mandatory life sentence of twelve-and-a-half years, a minister told AFP.

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.