Qandeel Baloch

Qandeel Baloch
Born Fouzia Azeem
(1990-03-01)1 March 1990
Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan
Died 15 July 2016(2016-07-15) (aged 26)
Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
Cause of death Homicide by asphyxia
Residence Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Nationality Pakistani
Other names Qandeel Baloch
Occupation Model, actress, activist, singer, television personality
Years active 2013–2016
Spouse(s) Ashiq Hussain (m. 2008–10)
Children 1

Fouzia Azeem (Urdu: فوزیہ عظیم‎; 1 March 1990 – 15 July 2016), better known by the name Qandeel Baloch (Urdu: قندیل بلوچ‎), was a Pakistani model, actress, woman's rights activist and social media celebrity. Baloch rose to prominence due to her videos on social networks discussing her daily routine and various controversial issues.[1]

Baloch first received recognition from the media in 2013, when she auditioned for Pakistan Idol; her audition went viral and she became an Internet celebrity.[2][3] She was one of the top 10 most searched for persons on the internet in Pakistan and both celebrated and criticised for the content of her videos and posts.[4]

During the evening of 15 July 2016, Baloch was asphyxiated while she was asleep in the house where her parents live in Multan.[5] Her brother Waseem Azeem confessed to the murder saying she was "bringing disrepute" to the "family's honour".[6][7][8]

Early life

Baloch was born on 1 March 1990 in Dera Ghazi Khan,[9] Punjab. She hailed from Shah Sadar Din.[9] She had six brothers and six sisters. Her first job was as a bus hostess.[10]

Career

Baloch's fame was based on her social media posts – pictures, videos and comments. These were considered bold by the largely conservative Pakistani community.[4] Some international news media compared her to Kim Kardashian;[11] however, local commentators stated that she was more significant than Kardashian, as Baloch "went against the norms of society" and lived life on her own terms.[12]

In June 2016, Baloch met senior cleric Mufti Abdul Qawi in a hotel room to learn more about her faith; the interaction between them brought about mayhem on social media platforms as their photos went viral online.[13][14][15] She also wore a hat with the Mufti's signature.[16] The meeting led to the Mufti being suspended from his position on one of Pakistan's religious committees.[17]

A previous stunt which spread in social media was her promise to strip dance for her nation and to dedicate her dance to cricketer Shahid Afridi if Pakistan won the Twenty20 match against India on 19 March 2016. She released a teaser on social media, which went viral, but Pakistan lost the match.[18] Some Indian media compared her with Poonam Pandey at this point due to her controversial personality.[19][20]

As her media presence grew, Baloch began to use her position to comment on women's position in Pakistani society. The week before she died, she released a music video entitled Ban, which mocked the restrictions placed on women in the country.[17] In an interview with controversial anchor Mubashir Luqman, Baloch named Sunny Leone, Rakhi Sawant and Poonam Pandey as her inspirations.[21] She also said that many organizations, people and media groups were calling her to feature in their shows to increase their own ratings.[22]

Security concerns

Following the June 2016 meeting with Qawi, Baloch reported that she received death threats both from him and from others.[17][23]

At around the same time, Baloch's ex-husband described in the media their brief marriage, revealing intimate details of their relationship. Baloch claimed her husband had been abusive, and cried publicly about the pain of the marriage.[12] Around 14 July 2016, Baloch spoke by phone to a reporter from the Express Tribune paper and stated that she feared for her life.[17] She told the reporter that she had sought protection from the police but on receiving no response, had decided to move abroad with her parents after the Eid al-Fitr holiday as she felt unsafe in Pakistan.[10]

Personal life

Baloch married Ashiq Hussain in 2008, aged 17, and had one son with him.[24][25] Baloch left her husband a year later, saying he was abusive.[10][26] There are reports Baloch was separated from a second marriage.[27]

Death

On 15 July 2016, Baloch was drugged and then asphyxiated by her brother Waseem while she was asleep at her parents' home in Multan.[10][28] Her death was reported by her father Azeem.[10][29][30] It was first reported as a shooting, but an autopsy report confirmed that Baloch was murdered by asphyxiation while she was asleep,[31] on the night of 15–16 July, around 11:15 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. By the time her body was found she had already been dead for between fifteen and thirty-six hours.[32] Marks on Baloch's body revealed that her mouth and nose were pinned shut to asphyxiate her.[12][33] Police said that they would investigate all sides of the murder including honour killing.[34]

A First Information Report against her brother Waseem and another brother Aslam Shaheen, who allegedly persuaded Waseem to kill their sister, was issued.[35][36] Baloch's father Azeem stated in the FIR that his sons Aslam Shaheen and Waseem were responsible for their sister’s death and had killed her for her money. Her father told the press "my daughter was brave and I will not forget or forgive her brutal murder."[37]

Waseem was arrested on the evening of 16 July. He confessed to murdering his sister, saying "she [Qandeel Baloch] was bringing disrepute to our family's honour and I could not tolerate it any further. I killed her around 11:30 p.m. on Friday night when everyone else had gone to bed. My brother is not involved in the murder."[6]

The state was named as complainant in the murder case, making it impossible for the victim's family to pardon the perpetrator [38][39][40] (see the Pakistani diyaa law).

FIR nomination against Mufti Abdul Qavi

Mufti Abdul Qavi's name has been mentioned in First Information Report (FIR) in an application of Qandeel's father Azeem.[41][42][43] He was already being investigated by the Multan police at the time of murder.[44]

Reactions

Baloch's murder was widely condemned by media celebrities and people around the globe,[45][46] while some in Pakistan were more inclined to support her murder.[47] Several personalities, including Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Rakhi Sawant, Imran Khan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sharmila Farooqi, Abdul Razaque, Reham Khan, Sanam Baloch, Osman Khalid Butt, Meesha Shafi, Nadia Hussain, Ali Zafar,[48] along with many others condemned the incident,[49][50] including filmmaker and activist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who said, "I really feel that no woman is safe in this country, until we start making examples of people, until we start sending men who kill women to jail, unless we literally say there will be no more killing and those who dare will spend the rest of their lives behind bars."[51] She further said, "There is not a single day where you don't pick up a paper and see a woman hasn't been killed... this is an epidemic."[52]

British Prime Minister Theresa May also condemned the murder saying "there is absolutely no honour in so-called honour killings and they should be referred to as acts of terror."[53] May also said it was 'criminal' for women to be murdered by their male relatives on the grounds of defending family 'honour'.[54] The daughter of the Pakistani Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that the government had finalized the draft law against honour killings in the light of negotiations and the final draft will be presented to a committee of joint session of parliament on July 21 for consideration and approval.”[55][56]

Vigils for Baloch were held in Lahore and Karachi.[57] International media outlets such as The Daily Mail,[58] The Guardian,[59] USA Today,[60] New York Times,[61] Time,[62] Wall Street Journal,[63] The Washington Post,[64] Times of India,[65] The Hollywood Reporter,[66] The Globe and Mail,[67] and many others condemned the murder and raised awareness about honour killing. As per Facebook and Instagram policies, Baloch's official pages were deleted.[68] However, her Twitter account was not deleted.

Legacy

Baloch's death has mixed reaction from people in Pakistan. While some calls her death a honour killing, but some thinks that it was for money. An episode in the A-Plus Entertainment series Yeh Junoon was partially based on her life. The series starred Zhalay Sarhadi and Shamoon Abbasi in lead roles. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's untitled documentary film on her life is under production, that will be release in 2017.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sarah Raza and Ayesha Rehman (9 September 2015). "Self proclaimed drama queen: Qandeel Baloch". Samaa TV.
  2. ↑ "Hilarious audition of Qandeel Baloch In Pakistan Idol". ABP Live. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Desperate for instant fame, Pakistan model Qandeel Baloch, who had recently made headlines with her antics to gain popularity, now has come with another way of grabbing the limelight.". Siasat.pk. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Qandeel Baloch murder: This video gives an insight into the Pakistani model's life". 2016-07-16. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  5. ↑ Gabol, Imran (16 July 2016). "Qandeel Baloch murdered by brother in Multan: police". Dawn News. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Qandeel Baloch's brother arrested, says he killed her for 'honour'". Pakistan Today. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Karasin, Ekin (16 July 2016). "Pakistani Instagram star Qandeel Baloch 'strangled in honour killing by her brother for posting raunchy clips and photos'". Daily Mail (UK). Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  8. ↑ Reilly, Katie (16 July 2016). "Pakistani Model Qandeel Baloch Strangled by Brother in Apparent 'Honor Killing'". Time (magazine). Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  9. 1 2 Haider Ali Sindhu: Qandeel’s Cinderella story: How a bus hostess from Shadun Lund became controversy queen in Karachi. In: en.dailypakistan.com.pk, 23 June 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Qandeel Baloch strangled to death by brother in suspected honour killing - The Express Tribune". 2016-07-16. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  11. ↑ "To post or not to post". The Nation. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 "Pakistan: Anger after honour killing of Qandeel Baloch". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  13. ↑ "When Qandeel Baloch met Mufti Qavi: A guideline on how NOT to learn Islam". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  14. ↑ Fayyaz Hussain. "What really happened when Mufti Abdul Qavi broke his fast with Qandeel Baloch in a hotel?". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch claims Mufti Qavi 'hopelessly in love' with her!". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  16. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch stirs storm with selfies". THE NEWS INTERNATIONAL. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 CNN, Sophia Saifi. "Pakistan social media star killed by brother". CNN. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  18. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch: Pak model to strip if team win WT20 match against India". Hindustan Times. 18 March 2016.
  19. ↑ Tanushree Pandey (16 March 2016). "Someone seems to be going the Poonam Pandey way this #WT20 season. Howzat?". IBN Live.
  20. ↑ "Pakistan Got its own Poonam Pandey! Here's What She'll Do If Pak Wins WC '16". Dailybhaskar.com. 17 March 2016.
  21. ↑ APDP - All Pakistani Dramas Page (2016-03-25), Khara Sach With Mubashir Luqman 25 March 2016 - Qandeel Baloch Exclusive Interview, retrieved 2016-03-26
  22. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch Wiki Biography, Age, Date of Birth Full Bio Info". 13 April 2016.
  23. ↑ "Receiving life-threatening calls from Mufti Qawi, claims Qandeel Baloch". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Plot thickens: Qandeel Baloch was once married and has a son". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  25. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch's ex-husband comes forward with startling claims". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  26. ↑ Mohsin, Mahboob (2016-07-13). "Secret marriage of Qandeel Baloch; Mother of seven years old son". 24 News HD. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  27. ↑ "Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch murdered in suspected 'honour killing'". FirstPost. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  28. ↑ "'I have no regrets': Brother of slain Pakistani social media star arrested". ABC News. 2016-07-17. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  29. ↑ Gabol, Imran (2016-07-16). "Qandeel Baloch killed by brother in Multan: police". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  30. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch Killed by brother in Multan". whrill.com. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  31. ↑ "Qandeel's dead body shows no marks of torture: autopsy report". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  32. ↑ Rao, Hamza. "Qandeel Baloch's autopsy reveals new facts". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  33. ↑ "Breathing blockage caused Qandeel's death: autopsy". SAMAA TV. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  34. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch murdered in Multan for 'honour'". Dunya News. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  35. ↑ "FIR registered against brother of Qandeel Baloch". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  36. ↑ Subhani, Tassur (17 July 2016). "Qandeel's father nominates his two sons in daughter's murder, lodges FIR". Dawn News. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  37. ↑ "Qandeel Balochs brother arrested says he killed her for honour". Pakistan Today. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  38. ↑ "State becomes complainant in Qandeel's murder case". Daily Times, Pakistan. 2016-07-18.
  39. ↑ "Pakistan bars family from 'forgiving' son for Qandeel Baloch's killing". Times of India. 2016-07-18. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  40. ↑ Boone, Jon (2016-07-18). "Police stop murdered Pakistani star's brother from using blood money law". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  41. ↑ "Mufti Abuld Qavi booked for Qandeel Baloch Murder Case". Channel24. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Mufti Abdul Qaci nominated for Qandeel Baloch Murder Case". BBC. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Mufti Abuld Qavi booked for Qandeel Baloch Murder as Abettor". Abb Takk News. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Mufti Qavi gets investigated in Qandeel Baloch Murder". Geo News. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  45. ↑ Chughtai, Aliya (17 July 2016). "Pakistan: Anger after honour killing of Qandeel Baloch". Aljazeera. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  46. ↑ "Notable personalities condemn Qandeel's 'honour killing'". Dunya News. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  47. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch's death takes Twitter by storm, Pakistan sees mixed reactions". Business Standard. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  48. ↑ "Pakistan reacts to Qandeel Baloch's shocking murder". Dawn News. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  49. ↑ Lodhi, Rida (17 July 2016). "Honor Killing of Qandeel Baloch condemned by famous personalities". Aaj TV. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  50. ↑ Lodhi, Rida (17 July 2016). "Qandeel Baloch killed: Richa Chadha, Mishi Khan, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and others mourn". IB Times. gossip.pk. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  51. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch: Pakistan social media celebrity 'killed by brother'". BBC. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  52. ↑ "Pakistan social media star Baloch killed 'by brother'". Agence France-Presse. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  53. ↑ Hughes, Laura (19 July 2016). "Theresa May says there is 'no honour' in so-called honour killings". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  54. ↑ Rao, Hamza (19 July 2016). "British Prime Minister also speaks up about Qandeel Baloch's murder". Sky News. Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  55. ↑ "Pakistan to pass law against honor killings in weeks: Maryam Nawaz". Sama TV. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  56. ↑ Zahra-Malik, Mehreen (19 July 2016). "Pakistan to pass law against honor killings in weeks: PM's daughter". Reuters. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  57. ↑ "Taken away: Vigil held for Qandeel Baloch". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  58. ↑ Curtis, Joseph (19 July 2016). "'I'm not embarrassed. Of course I strangled her': Arrested brother of 'Pakistan's Kim Kardashian' admits he killed her because she refused to stop posting provocative photographs on Facebook". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  59. ↑ Mohsin, Moni (19 July 2016). "The dishonourable killing of Qandeel Baloch". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  60. ↑ Penzenstadler, Nick (16 July 2016). "Pakistani model killed after offending conservatives". USA Today. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  61. ↑ Masood, Salman (19 July 2016). "Qandeel Baloch, Pakistani Social Media Celebrity, Dead in Apparent Honor Killing". New York Times. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  62. ↑ Reilly, Katie (19 July 2016). "Pakistani Model Qandeel Baloch Strangled by Brother in Apparent 'Honor Killing'". Time. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  63. ↑ Nauman, Qasim (19 July 2016). "Qandeel Baloch, a Pakistani Internet Celebrity, Is Killed in 'Honor Killing'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  64. ↑ Ahmed, Munir (19 July 2016). "Pakistani fashion model Qandeel Baloch, who recently stirred controversy by posting pictures of herself with a Muslim cleric on social media, was strangled to death by her brother, police said Saturday.". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  65. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch no more Know everything about the Pakistani model". Times of India. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  66. ↑ "PAKISTANI MODEL AND SOCIAL MEDIA STAR QANDEEL BALOCH MURDERED IN HONOR KILLING". The Hollywood Reporter. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  67. ↑ Aziz, Shaista (19 July 2016). "The murder of Qandeel Baloch lifts the lid on misogyny in Pakistan". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  68. ↑ "Qandeel Baloch Wiped off from her Facebook and Instagram official pages". Dawn News. July 21, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2016.

External links

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