Monday, July 18, 2016

Qandeel Baloch, Pakistani Social Media Star, Murdered by Own Brother

An unspeakable crime has taken place in Pakistan.



Qandeel Baloch – an actress, model and strong social media presence in that country – was found dead on Friday in her family’s home in the city of Multan.


According to CNN soon after news of the incident broke, Baloch’s father, Muhammad Azeem, reported his own son, Waseem Azeem, to the authorities as the culprit.


Waseem was unable to be found at the time, but police eventually tracked him down and arrested him for the heinous crime.


At a press conference on Saturday, Waseem then admitted to murdering his sister.


Speaking with his face covered, Waseem told reporters that he “killed for honor” and had “no regrets” about murdering his younger sibling.


Waseem, who was one one of Baloch’s six brothers, told cops that he strangled Qandeel after giving her a sedative.


He then fled the house before being taken into custody.


“Girls are born only to stay at home and to bring honor to the family by following family traditions, but Qandeel had never done that,” Waseem said. 



Baloch (whose real name was Fauzia Azeem) was a popular and controversial figure on social media; some even dubbed her Pakistan’s answer to Kim Kardashian.


The blogger dared to show off her body and speak out about female empowerment in Pakistan, an especially conservative country.


Baloch would share videos with her 750,000-plus Facebook followers that featured her making faces at the camera, talking about her famous crushes and playing around with different hairstyle.


Last month, Baloch made headlines for her video with Muslim cleric Abdul Qavi in which she donned his cap and snapped selfies.


This was a big deal in Pakistan.


In that nation, approximately 1,000 women die every year as a result of “honor killings,” with many of them murdered by male relatives for bringing dishonor to their family.


“I am a drug addict, but I was in my senses when I murdered her and I accept it with pride,” Waseem said of the murder, adding:


“Now everybody will remember me with honor that I have provided relief to my parents and brothers who were suffering for the last two decades because of her.


“I have no regrets.”


A day before she was killed, Baloch addressed her critics, likely unaware that her own brother would end up taking her life:


“No matter how many times I will be pushed down under… but I’m a fighter, I will bounce back,” one of her last Facebook posts read.


“Qandeel Baloch is a one-woman army. Qandeel Baloch is an inspiration to those ladies who are treated badly and dominated by the society. I will keep on achieving and I know you will keep on hating.


“Damn, but who cares.”