Honour Killing in Sukkur, Pakistan: Sidra Samejo and Deedar Sheikh Shot Dead After Marrying by Choice

Sidra Samejo and Deedar Sheikh
Ages: -
Shot dead: 23 October 2026
Place of residence: Unknown
Country of origin: Pakistan
Children: Sidra had four children from a previous marriage
Suspects: Abdul Malik Samejo and Abdul Hanan Samejo

Sidra Samejo and Deedar Sheikh were shot dead on 23 October 2026 on a passenger bus near Pano Aqil, in Sukkur district, in Pakistan’s Sindh province. According to reports, they were taken off the bus and attacked. The couple had married by choice. Police arrested Abdul Malik Samejo and Abdul Hanan Samejo; Sidra’s former husband and father-in-law were reportedly involved in the attack. Police are investigating the case as a suspected honour killing.

Before the attack, Sidra had said in a video that she feared for her safety. In a statement dated 28 September 2026, she wrote that she had married Deedar of her own free will in April that year. She also said that her former husband had mistreated her and that she feared threats from him and other relatives.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.