Honour killings, a form of violence perpetrated in the name of maintaining honour and protecting the reputation of the family and community, are driven by a desire to uphold strict social norms. Common reasons for honour killings include suspicions of extramarital relationships, refusal of arranged marriages, seeking a divorce, perceived promiscuity, and other forms of nonconformity. Women, who are often seen as the primary guardians of family honour, are disproportionately targeted in these killings. Despite these laws, honour killings continue to occur rampantly in Pakistan, often with impunity. The majority of the Muslim community and Islamic scholars reject the notion that honour killings are a part of Islamic teachings.
