Pakistani men who kill their female relatives in the name of honour will no longer be able to evade punishment after the country’s parliament finally passed long-promised legislation. The landmark bill passed on Thursday guarantees mandatory prison sentences of 25 years and strips families of the right to legally pardon the perpetrators of so-called “honour killings”, a practice that has allowed thousands of murderers to walk free. And in an apparent sop to conservatives the law passed on Thursday was not as tough as when it was first introduced as a private member’s bill in 2014. However, the culprit will not be able to avoid a mandatory life prison sentence. The case of Saba Qaiser and the film-maker determined to put an end to 'honour' killings Read moreSughra Imam, the former senator who first introduced the bill said the new law was a step forward.

Source: The Guardian October 06, 2016 18:32 UTC