Brother Who Killed Feminist Sister Acquitted

The brother of social media star known as ‘Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian’ who was also an unapologetic feminist has been acquitted after he was found to have killed his sister less than three years to restore his family honour.

Qandeel Baloch, 26, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, was strangled to death in 2016. Her brother was later found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life in prison.

READ ALSO:LASTMA Reacts As Commercial Driver Stabs Officer

Muhammad Waseem claimed at the time of his sister’s death that she had brought shame on their family for challenging traditional views on women.

Waseem was jailed in September 2019. However, less than three years after, his defence lawyer Sardar Mehboob said on Monday, Feb. 14, that “he has been fully acquitted” by an appeals court in Multan.

Waseem’s release comes after major witnesses retracted their testimony, the attorney explained.

The killer never showed remorse for his sister’s death, nor did his parents hold it against him.

Waseem explained he ended his self-proclaimed “modern-day feminist” sister’s life because her actions online were “intolerable”.

Baloch faced misogynistic abuse and death threats for her feminism but defiantly shared content she believed in as she tried to change “the typical orthodox mindset” of people in Pakistan. However, few expected the brother to have killed his feminist sister.

Her murder sent shockwaves across the country, sparking a tightening of laws so killers could not simply be spared jail because their victim’s family forgave them.

A government prosecutor also confirmed the acquittal. He is expected to be released later this week, Agence France-Presse reported.

Waseem and Qandeel Baloch mum’s lawyer, Safdar Shah, said she had given “her consent” to pardon Waseem but it has not been confirmed that her approval sanctioned Waseem’s freedom.

Waseem’s acquittal has outraged women’s rights campaigners in Pakistan.

Biographer Sanam Maher, who wrote ‘A Woman Like Her: The Short Life of Qandeel Baloch’, said: “Waseem may now walk free while Qandeel was condemned for stepping outside the bounds of what is deemed ‘acceptable’ behaviour for women in Pakistan.”

Lawyer and activist Nighat Dad said on Twitter: “This man who confessed of killing Qandeel, his own sister, is a free man today in the same country where Qandeel couldn’t live her life freely.

“This is the sorry state of not so sorry State…we are sorry Qandeel. Shocked and speechless.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG