The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday approved the bail plea of tribal leader Sardar Sherbaz Satakzai, arrested in the Degari honour killing case, where a couple was brutally shot dead in the name of ‘honour’.
Justice Iqbal Kasi approved the plea and directed the accused to submit surety bonds worth Rs500,000. Satakzai had moved the high court after his bail was earlier rejected by a lower court.
Details of the Case
The killings drew national outrage after a disturbing video circulated on social media. The footage showed more than a dozen men gathered in a remote desert area of Degari, Balochistan, where the woman was ordered to face away before being shot seven times. Moments later, the man was shot nine times.
According to police surgeon Dr Ayesha, the couple died instantly.
Authorities revealed that the attack was allegedly ordered by a local tribal jirga, with SUVs and pickup trucks seen at the crime scene.
Family Involvement and Viral Videos
The deceased woman’s brother, Jalal Satakzai, was named as one of the prime suspects. Another video surfaced showing the woman’s mother, Gul Jan, justifying the killings as part of “Baloch tribal customs.” She denied any unlawful role of the tribal elders.
Government Response
Following the viral spread of the video, the Balochistan government registered a case under terrorism charges. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the incident as “heinous.”
The case was registered under:
- Section 302 (murder)
- Section 149 (unlawful assembly)
- Section 148 (rioting while armed with a deadly weapon)
- Section 147 (rioting) of the Pakistan Penal Code
- Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997
What’s Next?
The Balochistan honour killing case is being closely monitored nationwide, with human rights groups demanding justice and stricter measures against tribal jirgas that sanction such killings.