Video: murdered Baloch woman’s mother justifies ‘honour killing’

QUETTA: Another video has come to light in relation to the ‘honour killing’ of a man and a woman in the suburbs of Quetta. Gul Jan, the mother of Bano Satakzai – the slain woman, can be seen in the video, justifying the killing of the couple.

In the video, she admits that her daughter was killed by the family, justifying it as an act of honour in line with traditions. She explains that Bano, a mother of five, had run away with a neighbour named Ehsanullah for 25 days but later returned and was forgiven by her husband. However, Ehsanullah continued to harass and threaten the family with videos and messages. Gul Jan claims they could no longer tolerate the disgrace and acted to restore their honor, asserting that the killings were justified, not sinful.

She is addressing Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, rebuking him for arresting those responsible for the muder. According to the translation, provided by those familiar with the language, here is the transcript of what Gul Jan says in the video:

“My name is Gul Jan and I am Bano’s mother. I am telling the truth by keeping this Holy Quran in front of me, I am not lying. Sarfaraz Bugti! The fact is that Bano was the mother of five children, she was not a girl.

Her eldest son is Noor Ahmed, who is 18 years old. The second son is Wasit, who is 16 years old. After him is her daughter Fatima, who is 12 years old. Then her daughter is Sadiqa, who is 9 years old. And the youngest son is Zakir, who is 6 years old.

Will a Baloch’s conscience allow a mother of so many children to run away with another man? Of course, we killed them. It was not a lack of honor, but it was done according to Baloch customs and traditions.

Sarfaraz Bugti! You send raids on our houses, what is our fault? Whatever we did, we did it out of honor, it was not a sin.

My daughter Bano and Ehsanullah were neighbors. Bano She had run away with Ehsan for 25 days and was living with him. She returned after 25 days. Then Bano’s husband forgave her for the sake of the children and agreed to keep her with him.

But Ehsanullah did not give up. He used to send us videos. On TikTok, he would say with a bullet in his hand, “Those who come to fight me, come with the heart of a lion.” He would threaten us.

He would make a cross on my son’s picture and say, “I will kill him.”

We could not bear such humiliation and dishonor. Whatever we did, it was good. I swear on this Quran that it was our right to kill them.”

Meanwhile, Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech has taken notice of the video of the killing circulating on social media, and has summoned additional Interior Chief Secretary and IG Police.

Quetta’s Judicial Magistrate‑13 Akhtar Shah also ordered exhumation of murder Bano Satakzai’s grave, and supervised the grave’s opening in Degari.

The incident reportedly occurred around Eid-ul-Azha. Initial reports said that the couple was reportedly killed over marrying by choice and without taking consent from their parents. The matter was brought before local elders, who allegedly issued a death sentence.

However, now there are conflicting reports, with the latest update coming in the form of this video, claiming to be the woman’s mother.

Also read: CJ Balochistan HC takes notice of Quetta ‘honour’ killing