The severity of the murder has spurred Pakistan, where so-called “honour” killings are a prevalent occurrence, to address its dismal record on gender-based violence.
Pakistan is ranked 153 out of 156 nations in the World Economic Forum’s global gender ranking, barely above its neighbouring country Afghanistan, which has been devastated by the Taliban.
Who was Sara Shahnawaz?
She was brilliant economist & working with an international firm. She was a Canadian national. Her parents settle in Dallas, USA. Two brothers were settled in Canada.
Case
Shahnawaz killed Sara Bibi, Ayaz Amir’s daughter-in-law, in the Chak Shehzad neighbourhood of Islamabad.
Murder weapon
The 37-year-old Sara was discovered dead this morning at a farmhouse in Islamabad where she resided. Her 37-year-old husband is the main suspect in the crime, according to the police, who claim that she was murdered with a dumbbell.
Advertisementیہ بالکل اسی نوعیت کا قتل ہے جس طرح پچھلے سال نور مقدم کو قتل کیا گیا تھا، زاہد گشکوریhttps://t.co/0spigzV9FT#SamaaTV #AyazAmir #Murder #Islamabad #Sara #ShahnawazAmir @ZahidGishkori pic.twitter.com/zmWPkkrAbA
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) September 23, 2022
Shahnawaz Amir Arrested
As soon as police and investigation teams arrived on the scene, the famous journalist’s son was taken into custody.
Ayaz Amir’s Stance
In his most recent interview, the journalist expressed his sorrow and told the media that the incident is still shocking him. He added that he hoped no one would ever experience this. When asked if he was aware that his kid used drugs, the journalist sidestepped the inquiry.
I am shocked at the tragedy, says Ayaz Amir after his daughter-in-law killed by her son pic.twitter.com/LdQCiBOaa6
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) September 23, 2022
Rising violence against women
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap 2021 index, Pakistan was placed 153rd out of 156 nations in 2021 by the Thomas Reuters Foundation poll.
Just the last two years, 2020 and 2021, saw an increase in accusations of domestic and online abuse, according to the Human Rights Commission Pakistan (HRCP).
In 2020, there were 430 cases of honour killings reported to the HRCP, with 263 female victims. Between the ages of 15 and 29, over 28% of women had been physically harmed.
2,297 incidences of violence against women were reported in four provinces in 2021, according to the Aurat Foundation, a women’s rights organisation based in Islamabad, Pakistan. These violent incidents included interpersonal violence, rape, gang rape, rape and kidnapping, murder, and honour killings.
Netizens reacts to brutal killing of Sara Shahnawaz
#BREAKING: Daughter in law of senior journalist #AyazAmir murdered in farmhouse of #Islamabad.
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) September 23, 2022
In a high profile murder case which has shocked Pakistani society just like Noor Mukadam's Case, Ayaz Amir's son has allegedly murdered his wife in a suspected honour killing. #AyazAmir refused to comment on whether his son was under the influence of any narcotics. pic.twitter.com/4TuSQQS7Du
— Hamza Azhar Salam (@HamzaAzhrSalam) September 23, 2022
I hope Ayaz Amir doesn't pursue his son case and let him rot in jail. It's difficult for a father but still maybe we could start it from here and put and end to domestic violence of any kind and type.
— ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? (@Lalika79) September 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/DanishkhanPAK/status/1573223114976239616
What excuse will the heinous justifiers of Noor Mukkadam’s murder say now at the murder of Ayaz Amir’s daughter in law who was in HER house murdered by HER husband. High time we full heartedly accept that men around us are the problem and were always the problem.
— rameen (@rameensak) September 23, 2022
