‘Honour killings in Pakistan: A human rights and economic crisis’

 Even though honour  killings in Pakistan continue to be a grave violation of human rights, their effects extend far beyond the particular tragedies they cause.

The nation is suffering significant economic losses as a result of these violent crimes, which are typically perpetrated in the guise of family or cultural honour. "Honour killings" must be stopped for moral and legal reasons, but it's also important to consider the wider economic toll that these crimes take on society.

The depletion of human capital may be viewed as one of the most direct economic effects. Violence based on honour primarily affects women, and every fatality represents a potential loss to the community in terms of education, skills, and contributions to the workforce.

Sociologist Ali (2024) points out that this ongoing loss would diminish productivity and cause interruptions in the movement of talent across various sectors, ultimately hindering economic growth.

In addition to the internal damage, honour killings are conveying detrimental messages beyond Pakistan. When foreign investors are determining investment locations, they generally look for stable, secure, and rights-respecting environments.

A decline in investor confidence can reduce foreign direct investment, a crucial element for economic growth and job creation.

Furthermore, this type of violence places a considerable strain on the healthcare system. In many instances, those targeted in attempted honour killings require extensive medical care and psychological assistance. While essential, they put pressure on the limited resources available in the public health sector.

In a 2023 legal assessment titled Honour Killings on the Touchstone of Constitutional and Criminal Jurisprudence, one of the observed consequences is the cascading effect of these crimes, leading to the diversion of public funding away from other essential developmental priorities and social service offerings in a community.

Alongside the financial strain, honour killings foster a wider culture of fear and discrimination.

According to Hongdao et al. (2018) in their study, the normalization of this violence hinders social progress as it strengthens harmful gender roles and leads to reduced female participation in civic activities.

Unchecked societal attitudes will hinder Pakistan's economic growth by preventing half of its population from contributing to national development.

Compounding the issue is the inadequate legal system. According to legal scholar Malik (2014), gaps in law enforcement and judicial loopholes have often allowed offenders to act with impunity.

This failure not only denies justice to the victims but also fosters a loss of trust in state institutions among the people.

Countries that do not safeguard women's rights through legal channels often struggle to build stable international relations with nations and organizations that prioritize human rights in their foreign policies and assistance programs.

The notion that some justify honour killings by claiming it is a cultural tradition neglects the profound damage that this type of murder inflicts on individuals and society.

Pakistan is at a pivotal moment, and it is the responsibility of the nation to decide if it will persist in tolerating this kind of violence or if it will rise up and confront it through bold legal and social reforms.

Halting honour killings is not just about preserving lives; it is also vital for ensuring the nation's economic future. Reforming laws, strengthening institutional responses, and challenging the cultural acceptance of violence are not just moral obligations but also economic necessities for a nation seeking to modernise itself in the 21st century.