Sir: Another incident of double honour killing in Sialkot based on tribal customs and traditional family honour. This despicable crime happened in public where the observers remained silent. The demise of these two will not restore the reputation of the concerned family but rather defame all of society — how barbaric and cruel we are in preserving primitive customs. It is regrettable to observe the repetition of karo kari acts on the misconception of immoral behaviour by immediate family members, denying freedom of choice to the female gender in selecting their spouses. Human rights and all rationalists have condemned this tradition of honour killing with no fruitful resolution.Failure of government and law enforcement agencies in not taking effective measures to prevent and finish once and for all this barbaric act contributes in keeping the tradition alive, encouraging savage and illiterate people to sacrifice their own blood in the name of honour. Our clerics are equally responsible in not being vocal and condemning these crimes. The jirga or tribal council should be abolished as tribal justice is not compatible with the civilised world. I hope the government will take corrective measures by apprehending the culprits and punishing them severely, setting a precedent for others to avoid this inhuman behaviour.
MOHAMMAD ASHRAF
Winnipeg,Canada
