Brother sentenced to life for ‘honour killing’ of Pakistan social media star|SBS News
The sibling of Pakistani social networks star Qandeel Baloch was on Friday sentenced to life in prison for her murder – the patriarchal country’s highest-profile “honour killing”.
Ms Baloch, 26, who shot to popularity for what were thought about risque selfies in deeply misogynistic Pakistan, was strangled in July 2016.
Days after her brother Muhammad Waseem was apprehended, he informed a press conference that he had no regret over what he did, saying that “of course” he had murdered his sis which her behaviour had been “excruciating”.
His attorney, Sardar Mehboob, informed AFP the court in the eastern city of Multan had actually discovered his client guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment, in a long-awaited decision.
“Inshallah (God prepared), he will be acquitted by a high court,” he said.Five others were acquitted by the court, including an Islamic cleric Mufti Abdul Qavi who had actually been embroiled in debate with Ms Baloch months ahead of her death.”We are troubled by this decision.
The government is still shackled to the whites and is bowing to their guidelines,”said Ms Baloch’s bro Aslam Shaheen, who was amongst the acquitted.Earlier, Ms Baloch’s mom Anwar Mai told
AFP she had hoped her son Waseem would likewise be acquitted.” He is innocent. She was my daughter and he is my kid,”she said.Waseem Azeem told reporters that” of course “he killed his sister for her”intolerable”behaviour.’Effective statement ‘Ms Baloch’s murder made worldwide headlines and reignited require action against an epidemic of so-called”honour killings”, in which a victim-normally a female-is killed for flouting patriarchal social codes.Women have been burned, shot, stabbed and strangled for offences such as choosing their own hubby or-in Ms Baloch’s case-bringing”embarassment “on their family by celebrating their sexuality.The killings are usually performed by a close relative. Under Pakistan’s Qisas (blood loan)and Diyat (retribution)law, they can then look for forgiveness from a victim’s relatives.The roots of “honour” killings depend on tribal social norms which remain prevalent throughout South Asia and dictate the behaviour of women in particular.Sanam Maher-the author of the book A Female Like Her: The Short Life of Qandeel Baloch-stated the verdict sent a” powerful declaration” however alerted that it would take more than a court choice to reverse deep-seated bias.
The strangling of Qandeel Baloch by her own brother triggered demonstrations in Pakistan.” I do notthink we can state that the court’s verdict is going to fix everything. It’s a band-aid on a bullet injury,”Ms Maher told AFP.Three months after Ms Baloch’s murder, parliament passed new legislation mandating life jail time for honour killings. Whether a murder is specified as a criminal activity of honour is left to the judge’s discretion, implying that killers can in theory claim a different intention and still be pardoned.In Ms Baloch’s
case, her parents initially insisted their boy would be given no absolution.But, sad at the idea of losing him too, they changed their
minds and stated they desired him to be forgiven.International revulsion at the killing had actually seen the Pakistani state take the unmatched action of declaring itself a successor along with the parents, nevertheless, requiring the case
to move ahead.Ms Baloch is understood for having provided to carry out a striptease for the Pakistani cricket team and wearing
a plunging scarlet gown on Valentine’s Day.She brought in criticism and threats but was viewed by numerous, including young people, as breaking brand-new ground for creating herself as a strong figure in a strong, political act of ladies’s empowerment.
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