see this is EXACTLY where we differ. . .
While I also would take exception to some random guy "taking out" my cousin or sister or whoever -- I am still at a point in my life where I have realized people can make their own decisions.
The girl was not a bloody toddler, she wasn't 16. She was in her early/mid 20s which is around the age where people get married in the villages. Of course this guy was not from tribal areas nor was he Shiia Muslim; but just a guy who was in love with a girl. Isn't that a normal thing? I don't know what village you come from, but where I come from -- men fall in love with women. Maybe you first do love practice on goats or something, but elsewhere people don't disguise their emotions or natural God-given instincts and feelings.
If he was stripping her naked and having sexual relations with her -- then yeah people would be so outraged and in that area they'd both be shot (without question). But I bet in this case they were just sitting next to eachother and talking; i bet they weren't even touching or holding hands.
(i wasnt there though, so i cant really say)
Long story short --- we cant ignore the tribal mentality. But I believe people can make their own God damn decisions. In the worst case scenario - they should have just told him to please leave the area. Stoning him was the most barbaric punishment i've ever heard. It makes me uncomfortable because I am from Kurram and never in the history of Kurram has somebody been stoned to death. In Waziri or rival Mehsud turf in Waziristans yes maybe there; but not in Kurram.
this part you are correct for the most part. .
that's just how it works for many Pashtun families; actually the same "phenomenon" applies to land-owning feudal Sindhi, Baloch and Punjabi families too if i'm not mistaken.
it's pretty fuckkin stupid actually, but oh well i didn't make the rules. . .
you accuse others of being blind and stupid but then you rejoice over the fact that a "Punjabi soldier" was stoned to death because you didn't approve of a mutually agreed upon relationship between him and a local tribal girl
you have such little faith in peoples independence to make their own decisions that you decided to be the morality judge here....that doesnt seem very blind and "stupid" to me