Two Pakistani women were murdered by their father and brother respectively, in what appeared to be an honor killing because they were seen kissing a man in a leaked video that has been circulating on the internet.

The cellphone video was taken one year ago and surfaced on the social media only recently. In the video, the two women can be seen kissing the man on the lips, while a third woman standing alongside them was laughing.

Police officer Muhammad Nawaz Khan said, the two cousins, aged 22 and 24, were shot dead and buried in a remote village in Pakistan’s North Waziristan province on May 14. The father of one victim and the brother of another confessed to the crime after they were detained. 

The 28-year-old man in the video, whom police worried might be harmed, were arrested for vulgarity. 

Police believed third woman is not in danger.

Photo source: Human Right Watch

WHAT IS HONOR KILLING?

Honor killing, also known as shame killing is the killing of a victim (often women) by a member of a family when she is believed to have behaved inappropriately and brought shame or dishonor upon the family.

It is understood that honor killing is quite common in Pakistan despite the death sentence that the murderer faces if convicted. Human Rights Watch’s report shows the number of honor killing in Pakistan each year is estimated to be around 1,000. 

Source: Sin Chew Daily, CNN

Cover photo: HuffPost | Business Insider