SWABI, Aug 1: Honour killings are on the rise in Swabi and other adjoining areas of the district.

Six women, both married and unmarried, were killed by their blood relations or husbands for the sake of “honour” in different parts of the district during the past one week.

In most cases, the women had either left their homes without permission or allegedly eloped with someone, deserting their children and husbands.

The police did not give any importance to such cases, while the people applauded such killings, saying the “poverty- stricken class has only honour, when anyone wants to snatch that he will never be spared.”

In the Pukhtoon society, women have never been allowed to either marry according to their own choice or oppose the decision of their elders. They have always to follow the decision of the heads of the family blindly.

Well aware of the customs and traditions of society the local NGOs have remained silent over these incidents because if they meddle with such affairs they might found themselves in hot waters.

In one such “honour killing” a young girl was killed by her relatives. Her body was wrapped up in a bag and then thrown into the Pehur canal. The relatives even did not bother to bury her and kept the matter secret from the police and the people because she in their opinion was indulged in “immoral activities.”

In Bakar area, Ali Rehman killed his wife along with her paramour Anwar Ali. The killed woman was the mother of four children and allegedly fled with a person of the same area.

The Mardan police arrested them but no FIR was registered against them and the police were forced to release them after a few days. After their release, both of them were lured and brought back to the district by their family members where they were murdered.

In Main Dheri, Jehan Zeb khan shot dead his wife. The cause of the incident was stated to be a domestic dispute but according to police outside factors could not be ruled out.

In Salim Khan, a woman who entered into a second marriage with Amanullah sometime ago, was murdered by her brother and husband.

She was the mother of three children. According to reports she stayed in Islamabad for a week without the permission of her husband which led to a rift and finally she was murdered.

In Sheikh Jana, Zarwali Khan killed his sister. Before the incident the woman left her home without the permission of her family members and returned home after a few days. Her brother could not bear this and shot her dead.

In Pirtab Banda, Nawab killed his wife and brother. Some people said the accused wanted to become the owner of all their property while some opined that something went wrong. The real cause of the incident is still unknown.