A Woman Killed in a ‘Karo-Kari’ case in Sindh
- Human Rights Research Center
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
May 12, 2026
HRRC condemns the brutal killing of Gulaan Bharo and demands immediate justice against all perpetrators and facilitators involved in the crime. Such violent acts are serious violations of human rights and highlight the need for stronger state protection mechanisms for women at risk.
![Police on Saturday transferred three suspects allegedly involved in the murder of Gullan Bharo from Rohri to Sukkur for further investigation. [Image source: ARY News]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_123fbf408ccb40d4b7722a705685d4d3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_60,h_46,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_123fbf408ccb40d4b7722a705685d4d3~mv2.png)
A young woman and a mother of two, Gulaan Bharo, was killed in Sukkar Division of Sindh (Province in Pakistan) in the name of so-called ‘honor killing’, days after she sought police protection from her abusive husband and expressed fear for her life before a court. As per the local police, her father, husband and maternal uncle were arrested, while another suspect, influential wadera (landlord & Feudal Lord) Younus Bharo, ran away. This case has renewed debate over the protection of vulnerable women and the persistence of ‘Karo-Kari’ killings in Sindh.
Reports suggest that Gulaan, after allegedly surviving violence from her husband, fled her husband’s home and reached a police station near Rohri Railway Station seeking shelter at a Darul Aman (House of Peace, state-run shelter for women in distress) (See Glossary). Later, during a court proceeding, she reportedly stated that she feared she would be killed if sent back home. However, after the emotional pressure from her father, who reportedly placed his turban (traditional headwear) at her feet in a symbolic appeal to the family’s honor, she agreed to return with her family. At least a week later, she was shot dead.
The case has drawn attention to the deeply entrenched practice of honor-based violence in Upper Sindh, where feudal, tribal and patriarchal systems often treat women as symbols of family honor. Activists noted that the women accused in ‘Karo-Kari’ cases are frequently killed, while the men accused in these cases escape through financial settlements.
Initially, the police were praised for providing Gulaan temporary protection and arranging shelter. Still, criticism intensified over the failure to ensure her long-term protection as she returned home to her abusers. Sindh Women Development Minister Shahina Sher Ali ordered immediate legal action and Law Minister Zia Ul Hasan Lanjar called for stronger legislation against ‘Karo-Kari’. Other human rights activists, including Amar Sindhu and Satter Zangejo, condemned systematic failures, while Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr, a visual artist, environmentalist and human rights activist, publicly denounced the killing.
Glossary
Abuse - an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse.
Appeal - a request to the public for money, information, or help.
Condemns - to declare reprehensible, wrong, or evil, usually after weighing the evidence and without reservation.
Darul Aman - Any woman facing distress, violence, abuse, or threats to her life may seek refuge in a Dar-ul-Aman through a court, NGO, or by her own choice, with her consent, can be admitted at any time of day or night, and is entitled to stay there along with her children.
Denounced - to strongly criticize somebody/something that you think is wrong, illegal, etc.
Entrenched - fixed or have existed for so long that they cannot be changed.
Family Honor - the concept of family honor, or Izzat, is a deeply ingrained social value that links a family's reputation to the behavior and perceived modesty of its members, particularly women. It operates within a patriarchal framework where women are often viewed as the "bearers" of this honor, while men are tasked with its "protection".
Financial settlements - A settlement is an agreement to end a disagreement or dispute without going to a court of law, for example by offering someone money.
Feudal - any society that is organized according to rank. In a feudal society, people at one level of society receive land to live and work on from those higher than them in rank, and in return have to work for them and fight for them if necessary, sometimes also giving them some of the food they produce.
Honor Killing or Karo Kari (in Pakistan) - ‘Karo Kari’ is a Sindhi term used for honor killing, specific for the province of Sindh. Karo means black man, and Kari means black woman; the term means they have blackened themselves by committing this sin, dishonoring the family. Another term used in southern Punjab is ‘Siyah Kari’; a different name, but the norm is the same. In 1835, the British established a law commission to examine the issue of ‘honour’ killings. The commission exhibited significant leniency towards men whose honour was thought to be tarnished by the females of the family. It concluded that if it could be proved that a man had killed under such provocation, such killing should not be considered murder, but the lesser offence of manslaughter.
Legislation - refers to the preparation, drafting, and enactment of laws by a legislative body through its formal lawmaking process.
Praise - to express admiration or approval of the achievements or characteristics of a person or thing.
Patriarchal - of, relating to, or being a patriarch or patriarchy. (patriarchy - control by men of a disproportionately large share of power)
Shelter - (a building designed to give) protection from bad weather, danger, or attack.
Symbolic - using, employing, or exhibiting a symbol.
Systematic - relating to or consisting of a system. (Systematic Failure will be a failure on a system level)
Temporary - not lasting or needed for very long; for a short period of time.
Tribal - relating to, or characteristic of, a community of people having shared ancestry, culture, and language.
Sources