Newlywed Couple Shot Death Inside Jhelum Mosque in Punjab, Pakistan

Rahman Rasool and Saffa
Age: -
Shot to death: October 21, 2023
Residence: Jhelum, Punjab
Origin: Pakistan
Children: none
Perpetrators: her family

Newlyweds Rahman Rasool and Saffa were gunned down at a mosque in Jhelum in northern Punjab province, Pakistan, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The couple had taken refuge in the mosque fearing for their lives after their recent freewill marriage. Just days after their wedding, the girl's family had invited them for a reconciliation, but the couple, sensing danger, took refuge in the mosque's courtyard near the highway.

Despite the mosque's sanctity, the girl's family did not hold back and mercilessly shot Rahman Rasool and Saffa. Their bodies were discovered by a local shepherd, who immediately reported the gruesome incident to authorities.

Police took the bodies into custody and launched an investigation into the double murder. The perpetrators, relatives of the girl, managed to escape.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.