ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s parliament unanimously passed legislation against “honour killings” on Thursday, three months after the murder of an outspoken social media star. A joint session of the lower and upper houses of parliament, broadcast live on television, approved the new anti-honour killing law, removing a loophole in existing law that allows killers to walk free after being pardoned by family members. “Laws are supposed to guide better behaviour, not allow destructive behaviour to continue with impunity,” said former senator Sughra Imam, who initially put forward the bill. Some 500 women are killed each year in Pakistan at the hands of family members over perceived damage to “honour”.

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