State will ensure justice: CM terms Degari killing case ‘test case'
Terming it a 'test case' for his administration, he vowed that all those responsible for the crime would be brought to justice.
Speaking at an emergency press conference in Quetta, the chief minister said that 11 suspects had so far been arrested, and law enforcement agencies were conducting raids to apprehend more. 'Whoever is involved in this case will be arrested, produced before a court, and punished in accordance with the law,' he asserted.
CM Bugti rejected the widespread impression on social media that the deceased were a recently married couple. 'There was no marital relationship between the two,' he said, adding that both the woman and the man were already parents—she had five children and the man had five or six.
The clarification comes in the wake of a disturbing video that went viral last week, purportedly showing the execution of the couple in the name of honour. The incident, believed to have taken place days before Eid-ul-Azha, sparked national outrage and prompted the Balochistan High Court to take suo motu notice.
The chief minister said the provincial administration had taken notice of the incident even before the video gained attention on social media. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice, stating that the state would not abandon the oppressed. 'This case involves victims, and the state is firmly standing with them,' he said.
He also confirmed that the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) concerned had been suspended for negligence, and further disciplinary actions would be taken against those who failed in their duties.
Calling the Degari killings a 'test case,' Bugti stressed that no individual or group could be allowed to operate above the law. He said the incident had raised questions about the misuse of Jirga systems and tribal authority in criminal matters.
'No attempt is being made to disarm tribal society, but no society can condone such killings,' he said. 'The factors behind this crime must be uncovered. Jirgas that promote such actions are being actively stopped by the state. The government will be run under the Constitution.'
In response to questions about the broader law and order situation in the province, the chief minister said that security forces had killed 10 militants in an operation conducted the previous day. 'These terrorists seek soft targets and attempt to flee after carrying out attacks. But our forces are effectively countering them,' he said.
Bugti criticised elements that he claimed were exaggerating the security threat in Balochistan, stating that the situation was gradually improving. 'The people should not be afraid. We are defeating terrorism and will restore peace across the province.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Senate condemns Balochistan honour killing
The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution, condemning the public and illegal execution of a couple in broad daylight in Balochistan, allegedly on the orders of a so-called jirga in the name of "honour". The resolution, moved by Senator Sherry Rehman on her own behalf and on behalf of Senators Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Jan Muhammad, Mohsin Aziz, Haji Hidayatullah Khan, Kamil Ali Agha, Raja Nasir Abbas, Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui, Quratulain Marri, and Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, was adopted by the House during its sitting on July 24. The resolution condemned the heinous and premeditated act as an abhorrent crime and a gross violation of human rights, the Constitution, and the laws of Pakistan. It declared that such barbaric killings must not be justified under cultural or tribal practices and emphasized that the concept of "honour" cannot override constitutional protections. It highlighted that despite existing legal safeguards, the implementation on the ground remains weak, leading to subversion of justice, particularly in cases targeting women. The house resolved that such so-called honour killings constitute murder and must be prosecuted under the relevant laws without compromise. It called upon the government to ensure immediate and transparent investigation into the recent killings and bring all those involvedincluding those who convened or sanctioned any jirgato justice without delay.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Senate slams 'honour killing' in Balochistan, urges swift justice
Listen to article The Senate on Thursday passed a resolution condemning the brutal murder of a man and a woman in Balochistan, carried out on the orders of a tribal jirga. The resolution was adopted with overwhelming support, with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) being the only party that declined to endorse it. Tabled by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman, it described the killings as a gross violation of human rights, the Constitution, and the laws of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported. According to the resolution text, the House 'strongly and unequivocally condemns the heinous incident wherein a woman and man were publicly and illegally executed in broad daylight, following a so-called jirga decision.' It termed the murders a premeditated act of vigilante violence and rejected any attempt to justify the act under the guise of tribal customs or so-called honour. Calling the killings 'barbaric,' the resolution stated that they must not be masked by cultural or traditional pretexts. 'It is in fact a crime that has gravely dishonoured the nation. Any attempt to justify such a crime based on 'custom or honour' is completely unacceptable, as is the entire process of victim-blame,' it noted. Affirming that honour killings constitute murder under the law, the resolution stressed that they must be treated and prosecuted accordingly. It warned that the rule of law cannot be selectively applied, nor should tribal or informal justice mechanisms be allowed to undermine constitutional protections and due process. Also Read: ATC grants 10-day remand of key suspect in Quetta 'honour killing' case The resolution urged the government to ensure an immediate and transparent investigation into the killings. It called for all those involved—whether directly or indirectly, including individuals who convened or sanctioned the jirga—to be brought to justice without delay. It also asked that law enforcement agencies be directed to handle such cases strictly under the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, without compromise or discretion. Grateful to all the parties across the opposition/ treasury benches in the Senate of Pakistan for generously supporting a House Resolution against the heinous practice of murdering women in the name of "honour". Thank you @BBhuttoZardari for always supporting women's rights ! We… — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) July 24, 2025 Furthermore, it recommended that the Ministries of Law and Justice and Human Rights conduct a thorough review of enforcement gaps in existing laws dealing with so-called honour crimes and propose actionable reforms for robust implementation. It emphasised the need to train and sensitise public prosecutors and investigating officers to treat honour crimes and gender-based violence as serious criminal offences warranting proactive prosecution. The resolution also called on provincial and federal governments to launch awareness campaigns rejecting the concept of honour-based violence and reinforcing the supremacy of constitutional law over tribal or feudal traditions. Read More: 14 suspects arrested over 'honour killing' of couple in Balochistan Following the passage of the resolution, Senator Rehman expressed her gratitude to fellow lawmakers across party lines for supporting the motion. In a post on X, she wrote: 'Grateful to all the parties across the opposition/treasury benches in the Senate of Pakistan for generously supporting a House Resolution against the heinous practice of murdering women in the name of 'honour'.' The killings, which occurred last month, gained widespread attention after a video surfaced showing the couple being shot. The man who killed the woman was her brother, acting on behalf of the family and tribe, provincial police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari told Reuters. The chief of the tribe, Sher Baz Satakzai, had ordered the killing, he added. Satakzai was among those arrested, according to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, who addressed the media in a news conference in Quetta, the provincial capital. "We will make sure that they all will be prosecuted," Bugti said. In response, law enforcement officials arrested the chief. He is currently in police custody on a 10-day physical remand.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Punjab opposition leader, 32 PTI workers sentenced to 10 years
SARGODHA: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Sargodha has sentenced Punjab Assembly Opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar and 32 other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers to 10 years of imprisonment each in the May 9 riots case. As per details, the verdict was announced by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Muhammad Naeem Sheikh. Among those convicted are Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, MNA Rana Bilal, and MNA Ahmed Chattha. The verdict was issued after the court heard nine separate cases related to the incident. The case, registered at the Musa Khel police station, pertained to the violent protests and vandalism that erupted in Mianwali following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a graft case. The ATC found Ahmed Khan Bachar and the other accused guilty of participating in the unrest, which targeted state institutions and public property. Violent clashes were broken out across Pakistan after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023. The protests were held in remote and major cities as the party workers were agitated due to their chairman's arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order. Army installations, including Corps Commander's house in Lahore, had come under attack during the protests by PTI workers. It is pertinent to mention that the PTI founder is named as main accused in all the May 9 riots cases. The verdict came at the time when the opposition MPAs allegedly caused disruption and damaged property during a Punjab Assembly session on June 27, 2025. In response, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan suspended the membership of these 26 SIC lawmakers. Later on June 28, the speaker announced his decision to refer the matter to the ECP for the disqualification of the suspended members. The court had granted exemption from personal appearance to all 32 accused, including Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar. PTI lawyers and supporters have rejected the court's ruling, calling it unfair and politically motivated. The members suspended by the speaker included Malik Fahad Masood, Muhammad Tanvir Aslam, Syed Riffat Mehmood, Yasir Mehmood Qureshi, Kalimullah Khan, Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, Ali Asif, Zulfiqar Ali, Ahmed Mujtaba Chaudhry, Shahid Javed, Muhammad Ismail, Khayal Ahmed, Shehbaz Ahmed, Tayyab Rashid, Imtiaz Mehmood, Ali Imtiaz, Rashid Tufail, Murtaza Iqbal, Khalid Zubair, Ijaz Shafi, Saima Kanwal, Muhammad Naeem, Sajjad Ahmed, Rana Aurangzeb, Shoaib Mir and Usama Asghar Ali Gujjar. Meanwhile, talking to a private television channel, Bhachar strongly criticized the ATC decision and announced plans to challenge the verdict in the Lahore High Court. 'The court has ruled against me in a politically driven case that completely deviates from the Constitution,' said Bhachar. 'This decision was pronounced without following due legal process. Once I receive the written verdict, I will immediately approach the High Court.'
