THE recent murder of Khalida Chandio in Khairpur, sanctioned by a jirga for the “crime” of choosing her life partner, serves as a chilling reminder of the archaic, extra-legal forces that continue to dictate life and death in Pakistan.

While the Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to life, dignity and equality, parallel justice systems remain operational, disproportionately targeting women with near-total impunity. “Honour killing” is a dangerous misnomer; it is neither about honour nor cultural heritage. It is a calculated tool of patriarchal control. Whether a woman decides to marry of her own free will, seeks a divorce or even refuses a forced union, her assertion of autonomy is perceived as a threat to the........

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