Pakistan 'honour killing' suspect in court over 'social media' murder

Pakistan 'honour killing' suspect in court over 'social media' murder
By Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

A man accused of murdering his sister, a well-known Pakistani model, because he was outraged at her social media activity has appeared in court.

ADVERTISEMENT

A man accused of murdering his sister, a well-known Pakistani model, because he was outraged at her social media activity has appeared in court.

Muhammad Waseem is said to have drugged and strangled Qandeel Baloch last Friday.

More than 500 people, almost all women, die in so-called “honour killings” in Pakistan each year – usually at the hands of relatives acting on perceived shame brought on the family.

Waseem told a news conference at the weekend that he was incensed at her social media profile.

The murder has shocked the country. But so too did Baloch’s posts and photos in the deeply conservative nation.

Many viewed her as a disgrace to the cultural values of Islam and Pakistan.

But others hailed her as a “feminist icon” and she was unapologetic, saying she wanted to change Pakistanis’ “typical orthodox mindset”.

Amid protests against her murder, the ruling party is said to want to speed up plans to outlaw honour killings.

The prime minister’s daughter says the government’s been negotiating with religious parties in parliament.

The law would remove a loophole that allows other family members to pardon a killer.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Pakistani lawmakers pick Asif Ali Zardari as president for second time

Twin bombings at Pakistan political offices kill at least 26 a day before voting begins

Imran Khan and wife sentenced to 14 years in prison over corruption charges