Tragic Honour Killing of Newly-Wed Couple in Punjab Province, Pakistan

A newly-wed couple in Pakistan's Punjab province was fatally attacked by the woman's relatives for contracting a love marriage. The woman, Tayyaba Fatima, had eloped with her cousin Naeem Abbas, defying family objections. Honour killings claim around 1,000 women annually in Pakistan, with perpetrators often escaping punishment through familial forgiveness.

In a tragic incident of honour killing, a newly-wed couple in Pakistan's Punjab province was gunned down by the woman's relatives for marrying against the family's wishes, police reported on Friday. The alarming event, which took place on Thursday in Bahawalnagar, approximately 400 km from Lahore, highlights an ongoing societal issue.

According to the police, Tayyaba Fatima, 21, defied her family's objection and married her cousin Naeem Abbas, a divorcee with a young daughter. The couple relocated to another village within Bahawalnagar after their court marriage.

The assailants, including Fatima's father and two brothers, tracked down the couple's location and opened fire, killing them instantly. Abbas' daughter was also injured. Law enforcement is actively pursuing the suspects. Human Rights activists report that an estimated 1,000 women fall victim to honour killings annually in Pakistan, often with perpetrators evading justice due to familial forgiveness.

(With inputs from agencies.)