US condemns killing of pregnant woman in Lahore

WASHINGTON: The US on Thursday strongly condemned the killing of a pregnant woman by her own family outside a Lahore courthouse.

The family is reported to have stoned Farzana Parveen to death for marrying someone they did not approve of. Her husband said the attack occurred in front of the police, who he said did not intervene.

"Tragically, this was at least the third reported so-called honor killing in Pakistan this week," said State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki.

"We welcome comments by senior Pakistani leaders condemning this heinous crime and calling for it to be dealt with promptly. We hope the perpetrators are quickly brought to justice in accordance with Pakistan's law."

"We have been encouraged by Pakistan's passage of legislation protecting women's rights, and we encourage the full implementation of such laws as well as greater public awareness about these laws, especially in Pakistan's rural and tribal areas," she added.