Lifestyle / Pakistani Social Media Star Qandeel Baloch Dies In Honour Killing

Pakistani Social Media Star Qandeel Baloch Dies In Honour Killing

Lifestyle Jul 17, 2016

by Nomaan Khan

Known for her liberal views and stirring controversy, Qandeel Baloch had a reputation of being Pakistan's first social media star.

Bold photos, videos and comments made Baloch a household name, and Pakistan's very own Kim Kardashian.

She was outspoken, and stepped outside the norm of what is considered "acceptable behaviour" for women in Pakistan.

Baloch was allegedly strangled to death in her family home on Friday night by her brother.

^{Photo Credit: www.abc.net.au}

"Qandeel Baloch has been killed, she was strangled to death by her brother, apparently it was an incident of honour killing," Sultan Azam, a senior police officer in Multan, told AFP.

"Baloch’s brother was upset over the 'disrespect' she had caused to the family," police said.

Her father, Muhammad Azeem told local media that the siblings were quarreling over Baloch's risque photos and money issues.

"He had serious reservations regarding her pictures being circulated on social media," Azeem told reporters in Multan. "He escaped after strangling Qandeel."

^{Photo Credit: www.au.news.yahoo.com}

Baloch was often under attack online by mysoginists, days before her death she told local media she was concerned for her safety but got no response from the Interior Ministry.

Her last post on Facebook encouraged women to "stand up for each other".

"I believe I am a modern-day feminist. I believe in equality," she wrote. "I don't think there is any need to label ourselves just for sake of society…I am just a women with free thoughts, free mindset, and I love the way I am."

^{Photo Credit: www.plus.google.com}

Baloch's death is igniting a debate on gender-based violence, misogyny and hypocrisy in Pakistan.

Along with that, social media is aflutter with speculation on who orchestrated her demise.

Baloch had made headlines after posting selfies and a video with Mufti Abdul Qavi, a religious scholar in Pakistan known for his conservative stance on women.

Media frenzy led to Qavis's suspension from a religious committee.

^{Photo Credit: www.indiatvnews.com}

After news of Baloch's death broke, Qavi said that "her death should be a lesson for all those who point fingers at someone's honor".

A vigil in Lahore was organized yesterday for Baloch by The Feminist Collective and Girls At Dhabas.

Activists carried signs with messages like, “There Is No Honour In Killing” and “Down With Patriarchy”.

_{Main Image Photo Credit: www.glamorous.pk}

Nomaan Khan

Author

After spending some time in a completely different field, Nomaan decided to drop it all and switch to Mohawk College to pursue his longtime interest in the world of Journalism. His experience working in multimedia platforms has helped him develop exceptional skills in thinking on his feet, being ...

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Pakistani Social Media Star Qandeel Baloch Dies In Honour Killing

by Nomaan Khan

Known for her liberal views and stirring controversy, Qandeel Baloch had a reputation of being Pakistan's first social media star.

Nomaan Khan

COMMENTS

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