A COUPLE in Balochistan was brutally murdered simply because two adults decided to marry of their free will. This slaughter in the name of honour was not of two people; it was the killing of basic human rights, dignity and justice. We are often told that we live in a modern, progressive society.

But what kind of progress is this where outdated traditions still justify brutal killing of women in the name of honour? How can people`s personal choice become a reason to end their existence? In essence, honour killings are not about a family`s honour, they are about control, ego and, above all, a vicious mindset that refuses to evolve.

Unfortunately, they reflect a deep-rooted sickness in society. Whether the victim is a man or a woman, the crime remains the same, and so does the silence that follows.What is even more disturbing is the utter, complete silence of those in power. The authorities, politicians, human rights groups and civilsociety activists disappear from the scene right after they have merely condemned the incident or have posted on social media about it.

These killings are not private family matters. They are public failures. They are a stain on the country`s justice system, its laws, and its collective social system.

When we allow such heinous acts to go unpunished, we are silently approving them.

The ocuntry needs surely stronger laws, and faster dispensation of justice, but what it needs even more is a change in the way people think. Human life should never be less valuable than ego, pride or tradition.

WasifKhalig Dad Rawalpindi