ISLAMABAD: Punjab police said on Saturday they were investigating the deaths of two Pakistani-Spanish sisters in an apparent honor killing.
Hundreds of women are killed each year in Pakistan, mostly by family members, over perceived damage to “honor” that can involve eloping, fraternizing with men, or seeking separation from their husbands.
There were more than 450 honor killings last year, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Aneesa Abbas, 24, and Arooj Abbas, 21, were found strangled with deadly gunshot wounds in Gujrat, Punjab province.
“Inspector-General (IG) Punjab has directed Gujarat Police to arrest the culprits involved in this tragic incident as soon as possible,” Punjab Police said on Twitter, citing a post saying that the women were killed by their in-laws for demanding divorce from their husbands after forced marriage.
Gujrat Police spokesperson Nauman Hassan told AFP victims’ family made up a story to convince them to come to Pakistan for a couple of days.
“Preliminary investigations show this is a case of honor killing, but it is still developing and the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
Police said the women were being pressurized by their husbands, who were also their cousins, to help them immigrate to Spain.
Seven members of the family are currently wanted for murder.
