Pakistan Stoning: Farzana Parveen’s Family Demanded Money To Halt ‘Honor Killing’ – Husband Killed First Wife?

As the Pakistan “honor killing” of Farzana Parveen continues to reverberate around the world, new information surrounding the Pakastani woman’s stoning death is becoming more and more bizarre.

As if it was not bad enough that her murder was conducted by her father and brothers, and also took place in broad daylight and in front of a courthouse, CNN now reports the killers were also demanding money, and her husband killed his previous wife to marry Farzana.

CNN first reported statements made by Parveen’s husband, Mohammad Iqbal, who was with her at the courthouse, that the family demanded the couple give them 100,000 rupees – which is approximately $1,ooo – to have their lives spared. When Mohammad told them he didn’t have the money, the family, along with several others, proceeded to beat Ms. Parveen to death with bricks. Parveen was 3 months pregnant.

Police are reportedly searching for those involved with Parveen’s death, but despite the grisly nature and seemingly horrific aspects of the deed, “honor killings” like Farzana’s are a relatively frequent occurrence, a fact that is underlined by the new revelation that Parveen’s husband killed his previous wife for his own needs and convenience:

“I wanted to send a proposal to Farzana, so I killed my wife,” CNN learned via an interview with Mohammad on Thursday.

While authorities did arrest Iqbal for killing his previous wife, with whom he had a son, the son forgave him so he was released on bail. The son confirmed this to CNN and was the one who turned him in 6 years ago.

While Parveen’s death has been deemed a customary “honor killing,” which is committed by families that feel one of their female family members has brought shame upon them, the previous wife’s death just seems to be a plain killing, yet Pakistani law still recognized forgiveness for the act.

Regarding the money demanded by Parveen’s family, Iqbal told CNN that he and Parveen planned to marry last year, and had the family’s approval. Iqbal also said he’d given Parveen’s father 80,000 rupees and some gold jewelry. However, after the death of Parveen’s mother in December, the father and brother changed their minds, deciding Farzana should marry her cousin instead.

But Parveen and Iqbal went against those wishes, eloped and got married. “We were happy,” said Iqbal, but he also noted they lived in fear, as the family was outraged.

Mohammad’s son, who became Parveen’s stepson, said of Parveen after she was killed, “She loved us… She always made the most delicious meat stew for us.”

But Parveen and Iqbal’s fears became reality Tuesday when the family caught up with the couple outside the courthouse. Parveen was scheduled to make a statement to the court confirming her love for Iqbal and legitimize their marriage.

Instead, one of her family members put a noose around her neck while her brothers bashed her in the head with bricks until she died.

People in the vicinity did nothing to stop the beating, sad Iqbal, but just watched. Like the “honor killing” itself, not stepping in to help is common and accepted, “because it’s (considered) a private matter,” according to Farzana Bari, a human rights activist based in Islamabad. The killers also often avoid prosecution, Bari said.

Only Farzana’s father is in custody for her “honor killing” while the others involved have all disappeared, reports the Daily Mail.

Protesters, rallies, and human rights groups have taken to the Pakistani streets since Farzana Parveen’s ugly stoning death. Hopefully their efforts can shine a light of shame and wickedness on “honor killing” and save at least some women from being stoned to death.

Images via Google Images