Rukhsana Bibi’s fight against honour killings in Pakistan: Surviving 8 bullets in a brutal attack
In Pakistan’s remote Kohistan region, where ancient traditions often eclipse modern laws, Rukhsana Bibi’s story is a beacon of courage.
A widow, she now relies on a walking frame due to bullet wounds.
Yet, she fights for justice after surviving an “honour” killing that claimed her husband’s life in 2013.
Her defiance sheds light on a dark practice that claims countless lives in Pakistan each year.
A Night of Terror
Rukhsana Bibi and Mohammad Yunus dared to love. They eloped and married on 22 May 2013, defying her family’s wishes.
Their joy was short-lived. On a late August night in 2013, as they slept in a courtyard in Akora Khatak, Kohistan, gunmen struck.
The attackers were Rukhsana’s relatives, driven by a twisted sense of honour. Mohammad Yunus died instantly.
Rukhsana was shot eight times—two bullets pierced her chest, three her left leg, and three her left hip.
Miraculously, she survived, though her injuries left her frail, requiring a walking frame to move.
“I woke to gunfire,” Rukhsana recalled. “My husband was already gone. I thought I was dead too.”
The brutality of the attack underscores the lethal consequences of defying cultural norms in Kohistan, where even unproven suspicions can justify murder.
The Scourge of Honour Killings
Honour killings are a grim reality in Pakistan, particularly in conservative regions like Kohistan.
These murders, often targeting women for perceived violations of family honour, are rooted in patriarchal tribal codes.
Any contact between a man and a woman outside customary wedlock—real or imagined—can be deemed a breach, granting the woman’s family the right to seek bloody revenge.
No further proof is needed; suspicion alone suffices.
Exact numbers are elusive due to underreporting, but estimates suggest hundreds of honour killings occur annually in Pakistan.
In Kohistan, between April and December 2013, seven such cases were reported, resulting in 10 deaths, including 7 women.
These figures likely represent only a fraction of the true toll, as many cases are disguised as suicides or go unreported.
| Year | Region | Reported Honour Killings | Total Deaths | Women Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Kohistan | 7 | 10 | 7 |
A Legal System Under Strain
Prosecuting honour killings in Pakistan is fraught with challenges.
The legal system, historically lenient, allowed perpetrators to evade punishment by seeking forgiveness from the victim’s family—often their own relatives.
In 2016, Pakistan passed the Anti-Honour Killing law, mandating life imprisonment for such crimes, even if the family forgives the killer.
This reform was spurred by public outrage over high-profile cases, like the 2016 murder of social media star Qandeel Baloch by her brother.
Despite this progress, enforcement remains weak.
A 2017 report by Human Rights Watch noted that honour killings continued unabated, with perpetrators often escaping justice.
In 2019, The Guardian reported a dozen cases in just two weeks, underscoring the law’s limited impact.
Rukhsana’s Defiant Stand
Rukhsana Bibi is an outlier in a society where victims often suffer in silence.
Widowed and weakened, she has chosen to speak out, pursuing justice through Pakistan’s courts.
“I am a dead person anyway,” she told the BBC, “but I must get justice for myself and my husband. We did no wrong.”
Her resolve is extraordinary in Kohistan, where cultural norms discourage women from challenging their families or seeking outside help.
Her case, however, mirrors the broader struggle. Arrest warrants were issued for some suspects, but by 2014, no arrests had been made.
The lack of progress reflects the systemic barriers victims face: police under-resourcing, societal pressure to protect killers, and the influence of tribal councils, or jirgas, which often sanction such killings.
These councils, operating parallel to state law, arbitrate based on tribal consensus, prioritizing honour over justice.
Cultural Roots of Violence
Honour killings in Pakistan are deeply tied to cultural and tribal norms that place family honour above individual rights.
In Kohistan, the code is stark: a woman’s perceived dishonour—whether through elopement, refusal of arranged marriage, or even innocent interactions—demands retribution.
The woman is often killed first, followed by the man involved.
Local custom prevents the man’s family from seeking revenge or reporting the crime, perpetuating a cycle of impunity.
Jirgas wield significant power in rural Pakistan, often overriding state authority.
These male-dominated councils enforce tribal values, sometimes ordering honour killings to restore perceived honour.
Their influence is particularly strong in Kohistan, where state presence is limited, and communities adhere to centuries-old traditions.
Echoes of Other Cases
Rukhsana’s story is not isolated. In 2012, the Kohistan video case shocked Pakistan when a mobile video of women singing and clapping at a wedding led to the alleged killing of five women and three men.
Afzal Kohistani, who campaigned for justice in that case, was murdered in 2019, highlighting the dangers of challenging tribal norms.
These cases illustrate the persistent threat faced by those who defy cultural expectations.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the bleak landscape, there are signs of progress. Rukhsana Bibi’s courage to speak out is a step toward breaking the silence surrounding honour killings.
Her case has drawn attention to the issue, both within Pakistan and globally.
International organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, continue to press for stronger protections for women.
The 2016 Anti-Honour Killing law, while imperfectly enforced, marks a legislative shift.
Public outrage over cases like Qandeel Baloch’s murder has fueled calls for change, with vigils and protests in cities like Lahore and Karachi.
Activists argue that alongside legal reforms, societal attitudes must evolve to value women’s autonomy and rights.
The Road Ahead
Rukhsana Bibi’s fight is emblematic of a larger battle against practices that devalue women’s lives.
Her survival, and her refusal to be silenced, offer hope in a region where justice is often elusive.
Yet, the persistence of honour killings—despite legal reforms—underscores the need for stronger enforcement, community education, and cultural change.
As Pakistan grapples with this issue, stories like Rukhsana’s serve as a call to action.
They remind us that behind every statistic is a human life, and that courage in the face of unimaginable loss can spark change.
For Rukhsana, and countless others, the fight for justice continues.
