Pakistani model, and internet celebrity, Qandeel Baloch was strangled to death by her brother in Multan on Saturday.
Qandeel’s parents were taken into custody over the 25-year old’s murder, and they revealed that their son, Baloch’s elder brother, Wasim had killed her in the night, following an argument, and they had found her body in the morning.
Waseem, 30, is now on a run from the police.
Pakistani religious scholar , Mufti Abdul Qawi, has also been booked for an FIR regarding the murder.
Qandeel, who’s birth name was Fouzia Azeem, had recently ignited a scandal, when she met with Qawi in a hotel room, to allegedly learn about her faith, and had shared a few selfies and a video of herself with the cleric. She had also mocked him on several TV channels, further fueling the fire.
She had claimed to be receiving death threats from Mufti and had fled to Multan along with her family, without disclosing her location, for security reasons.
She had even sent an application to the internal ministry for getting personal security, and on not receiving a response, was planning to move abroad.
Qandeel had told a Pakistani newspaper, “I know I will not be provided security and I am not feeling secured here so have decided to move abroad with my parents after Eidul Fitr.”
According to family sources, Qandeel had been asked by her brothers to quit modelling, and Wasim had even threatened her to stop uploading pictures and videos on the social media.
Qandeel’s death is becoming a Pakistani national issue for concern over women’s safety.
Many women are raising their voice against the prevailing acts of “honour killings” which are widespread in the country.
Baloch, who’s death has started a twitter trend of #QandeelBaloch, has many questioning the safety of women in Pakistan, and the end to the violence against them.
#QandeelBaloch killed in an #honorkilling– how many women have to die before we pass the Anti Honor Killing Bill?
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) July 16, 2016
It is irrelevant whether you liked #QandeelBaloch or not. Her brother doesn’t have a right to execute her.
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) July 16, 2016
#QandeelBaloch is killed because she owned her body and her life that was not dictated by the hypocrite society.
— Natasha Javed (@natashajaved1) July 16, 2016
The idea that a man’s “honour” depends on his sister’s actions is absolutely ludicrous! #QandeelBaloch pic.twitter.com/vGva0TfrlN
— Persian Rose (@PersianRose1) July 16, 2016
Here’s to women. To those who try and break free from the shackles of patriarchy. To those who dream. This one’s for you #QandeelBaloch
— Ayesha (@Ayeshaspeaksnow) July 16, 2016
Why Killers run away if killing was for so-called honor? It only goes to prove that we are superficial in our beliefs #QandeelBaloch #Shame
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) July 16, 2016
#QandeelBaloch was larger than life, in your face, unapologetic about her ambitions and her womanhood. Goodbye, you crazy, beautiful woman
— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) July 16, 2016
No justification no honour no defence.An extreme e.g should be set against this heinous act beginning wit her brothers arrest #QandeelBaloch
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) July 16, 2016