Qandeel Baloch, a former Pakistani social media celebrity who was famed for being an outspoken feminist and a champion of female sexuality, was killed by her brother in a so-called “honour killing” last week.
Qandeel, real name Fouzia Azeem, was 26-years-old, and was dubbed “Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian” because of her level of national fame.
She had been visiting her parents in Multan, Pakistan when she was strangled to death by her brother, Waseem Baloch.
The 25-year-old Waseem was arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan on Saturday after the sibling’s parents alerted the authorities.
In a confessional video, Azeem has expressed no remorse for drugging and later strangling his sister and has said: “I am proud of what I did. I drugged her first, then I killed her, she was bringing dishonour to our family”
Qandeel was known for being outspoken on the issues of women’s rights and politics in Pakistan.
As a women we must stand up for ourselves..As a women we must stand up for each other…As a women we must stand… https://t.co/v8XoETLh8A
— Qandeel Baloch (@QandeelQuebee) July 14, 2016
In one of her last Facebook posts before her death, the star was defiantly standing up for herself and other women
“As a women we must stand up for ourselves As a women we must stand up for each other. As a women we must stand up for justice. I believe I am a modern day feminist. I believe in equality. I need not to choose what type of women should be. I am just a women with free thoughts and a free mindset and I love the way I am”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BF2k4HXzfkp/?taken-by=qandeelbalochquebee&hl=en
Qandeel had made headlines recently after posting a selfie on her Instagram account of her alongside Mufti Abdul Qavi, a senior member of the clergy. It was this photo, her brother claims, that was “the end of it”.
Waseem Baloch confessed to drugging and killing his sister because she has been “dishonouring the Baloch name”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHcnlsIjRTQ/?taken-by=qandeelbalochquebee&hl=en
He admitted to planning her murder after this photo was put online,
“I planned this after her scandal with the mufti and was waiting for the right time” he said, before concluding that: “Girls are born to stay home and follow traditions. My sister never did that” .
Some people took to Twitter to give their support for Qandeel’s brother, claiming that the star got what was coming to her. One user tweeted: “Thank you to his brother for killing his asshole sister.#QandeelBaloch”
Honour killing of artist @QandeelQuebee celebrated by Pakistanis. #QandeelBaloch
Via @i_k_b pic.twitter.com/Kp4VewWMhF— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) July 16, 2016
However, the majority of Twitter users have rushed to pay tribute to the late pioneer of women’s rights in Pakistan.
Extremely appalled to see d deplorable barbaric mindset of Pakistan expressing joy at d death of #Quandeel Baloch.
— Madhavi J (@SincityMadhu) July 18, 2016
Activists and journalists in Islamabad protesting against honor-killing. #QandeelBaloch. pic.twitter.com/gBeY1l1ekv
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) July 17, 2016
Come and join us. Condemn #Qandeel murder at all levels. #LibertyChok pic.twitter.com/UeDn1YN1Vb
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) July 16, 2016
#Peshawar Women protest against #QabdeelBaloch murder – via @JavedAzizKhan #Pakistan #NoHonourInKilling pic.twitter.com/QJck7ZPFUp
— beena sarwar (@beenasarwar) July 16, 2016
If women started killing us to protect their honour, a lot of us would be dead!
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) July 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/iamyevgeniya/status/754251855929151488
