Unfolding the Truth: A Chronological Analysis of the Qandeel Baloch Murder Case in the Context of Honour, Gender, and Criminal Liability in Pakistan

Abstract

This study gives a critical analysis of a criminal justice response to honor-based homicide in Pakistan with respect to a qualitative doctrinal case study of FIR No. 439/16, involving the murder of Qandeel Baloch. By employing an interpretive research design, the paper analytically examines forensic evidence, post-mortem results and utterances of the accused in pursuant to Section 342 CrPC as well as the rationale of judicial processes in the Sessions Court (Case No. 45/S of 2016/2019; Trial No. 24-T of 2016/2019) and Lahore High Court Multan Bench (Criminal Appeal No. 917 of 2019). The results indicate that honour killing is laid down in interlaced socio-cultural, gendered and legal system where patriarchal values and societal influence and systemic injustices legitimize acts of violence against the female gender. Forensic and procedural research confirms the virtues and vices of institutional systems and the statements by the accused prove the force of gender practices and concepts of honour in criminal activity and legal discourses. Judicial Critique In judicial critique, particularly of the appellate level, the loopholes in the clarity of the evidentiary needs, procedural protection, and the discord between familial compromise and justice by merit are identified. It is against this background that, by placing these findings within the frames of the criminological theories of structural violence, social-cultural norms, gender-role socialization, and legal-institutional failure, this study highlights the dynamic interplay between culture, law, and gender in honour-related homicides. The research identifies that the solution to the problem of honour killings must be developed in a multi-dimensional approach involving legal reforms, policies formulation, and community-based response to eliminate the normalization of honour killings. Such understandings will enhance to the academic discourse as well as to the practical approaches to improving criminal justice responsiveness to gender-based crime in Pakistan.