Not too often do we hear of a woman in Pakistan posting pictures that one might see from American stars of social media. And that's because it is rare and it is not acceptable. Pakistan is a country with deeply conservative principles, and Islam is not a religion tolerant of expression by females. Women are not to make themselves known. Unfortunately, one who sought fame like so many on the internet, wasn't allowed to achief that fame.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Qandeel Baloch, a Pakistani social media sensation, was strangled by her brother in central Pakistan, police officials said Saturday, in what appears to have been a so-called honor killing.
The police said Ms. Baloch was apparently attacked on Friday night while she was asleep in her parents’ house in Muzaffarabad, a town on the outskirts of Multan in the province of Punjab. The police suspect her brother, Waseem Ahmed Azeem, of killing Ms. Baloch. His whereabouts was unknown on Saturday.
Though she is reviled by many and frequently subjected to misogynist abuse online, Qandeel has won praise by a segment of youth for her forthright attitude.
On Valentine’s Day, she donned a plunging scarlet dress and posted a video message defying President Mamnoon Hussain, who had issued a stern warning against the “Western” holiday. The post garnered more than 70,000 ‘likes’.
The 25-year-old social media starlet’s parents, who have been taken into custody, confirmed she was strangled to death last night.
“Wasim, 30, killed her last night following an argument,” her parents said. He was arrested by Multan police Saturday night.
Ms. Baloch was not shy about saying she wanted to be famous.
In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Ms. Baloch wrote: “I will fight for it. I will not give up. I will reach my goal & absolutely nothing will stop me.”
The news of her death prompted an immediate outcry on Twitter and Facebook in Pakistan, with many people condemning her killing and praising Ms. Baloch for her irreverent and uninhibited ways.
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
Surprisingly, many celebrated the social media queen's untimely death.
Honour killing of artist @QandeelQuebee celebrated by Pakistanis. #QandeelBaloch
Via @i_k_b pic.twitter.com/Kp4VewWMhF— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) July 16, 2016
Sickening, but this is not the first nor the last woman to die for trying to be her own person in an Islamic Republic.
