Credit: Facebook
Yesterday we reported the horrible and tragic 'honour killing' of 26-year-old Qandeel Baloch, real name Fauzia Azeem, by her brother Muhammad Wasim.
Her social media presence, which is seen as normal and commonplace from a western perspective, has aggravated conservative Muslims, particularly in Pakistan.
Now the brother, Wasim, indignant in his crime, has spouted this at a press conference:
"Yes of course, I strangled her.
She was on the ground floor while our parents were asleep on the roof top. It was around 10.45pm when I gave her a tablet and then killed her.
I am not embarrassed at all over what I did. Whatever was the case, it [her social media behaviour] was completely intolerable." Words can't describe just how deplorable this man is.
Muhammad Wasim. Credit: Getty Images
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As reported by the Metro, Multan police chief Ahhar Akram explained that Wasim's motivations were mainly around her social media activity:
"Multan City police chief Azhar Akram said: "Wasim confessed to his crime, saying he killed his sister for honour after her recent objectionable videos, mostly posted on Facebook."
Qandeel Baloch used social media to promote her image and post progressive ideas. This led to death threats and widespread condemnation. Credit: Facebook
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Recently she also caused controversy when she posted a picture of herself and Muslim Cleric Mufti Qavi, claiming they had enjoyed cigarettes and soft drinks during Ramadan.
Taking liquid during the hours of daylight and before the breaking of the fast (iftar), is prohibited during the Holy Month unless your are old, unwell or pregnant, so this suggestion riled many Pakistani Muslims, many of whom take a hard-line approach. She had asked for police protection because of the torrent of abuse she received for this, and for her general free-thinking and transparent views on social media, promoting gender equality.
Baloch and Qavi. Credit: Facebook
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Qavi has since denied drinking and said the two only met up to talk about the teachings of the Holy Quran.
Her last post on her Facebook page promoted freedom of speech and progressive ideas, particularly poignant after the barbaric actions of her brother:
"At least international media can see what I am up to. How I am trying to change the typical orthodox mindset of people who don't wanna come out of their shells of false beliefs and old practices."
Furthermore, she promoted gender equality and progressiveness with one of the last images she posted:
Credit: Facebook
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It reads: "As women we must stand up for ourselves... As women we must stand up for each other... As women we must stand up for justice.
"I believe I am a modern day feminist. I believe in equality. I need not to choose what type of woman [I] should be. I don't think there is any need to label ourselves just for sake of society. I am just a woman with free thoughts [and a] free mindset and I LOVE THE WAY I AM."
People have rightly been outspoken about the murder, mainly looking at how misogyny is prevalent in Pakistani 'culture'.
No Country For Bold Women, a statement and petition written by Pakistani feminists, is gaining massive support as the collective group has condemned the atrocity and asked for unity and support against the endemic reality of male dominance in Pakistani culture.
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Honour killings are common in Pakistan. The idea of dishonour bringing shame on the family and the only way for this to be rectified and placated by murdering those that did the 'dishonouring' is as barbaric as it gets, but not rare.
I can make an obvious statement and say it needs to end now, but we all know it won't.
She has been buried in Lahore. A waste of a young life.
Words Patrick Hulbert
Featured Image Credit:
