Qandeel Baloch, a popular model known for pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable behavior for women in Pakistan
In this Oct. 18, 2016 photo, a family member shows pictures of slain fashion model Qandeel Baloch, in Shah Sadderuddin, Pakistan. Baloch grew up in a poor farming family but “always wanted more, had different ideas,” her sister said. After escaping her childhood poverty and an abusive marriage to find online fame, she was killed by her brother for refusing to live a life dictated by repressive tribal and religious traditions. A joint session of the Pakistani Parliament approved an anti-honor killing bill this month, by a majority voice vote, that will introduce strict punishment — a mandatory 25-year sentence for a convicted “honor” killer. But the final wording allowed forgiveness of the death sentence. (AP Photo/Asim Tanveer) Qandeel Baloch, a popular model known for pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable behavior for women in Pakistan, was likely strangled in an honor killing on Friday.
Mubashir Bhutta Advocate, chairman of MBHRT Mubashir Bhutta Human Rights Trust and Chairman of Human Rights Committee of Pakistan shows serious concern on this barbarian act of society and demand the government to take serious and practical efforts to eliminate human rights violations
Baloch’s parents told the Express Tribune that one her brothers, Wasim, had killed her following an argument. Family sources also told the Tribune that Baloch’s brothers — she had six — had asked her to quit modeling.
Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, recently stirred controversy amongst conservative Pakistanis after she posted a photo of herself with Mufti Qavi, a Muslim cleric. AP reported that in the photo, Baloch said the two of them had enjoyed soft drinks and some cigarettes together in the daylight hours during Ramadan, the holy month in which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
Baloch had requested security protection from the Interior Ministry but was denied, according to NBC News.