Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch killed by her brother

They are calling it 'honour killing' but in what can only be called brutal murder, Pakistan's celebrity Qandeel Baloch has been killed by her own brother. “Qandeel Baloch has been killed, she was strangled to death by her brother, apparently it was an incident of honour killing,” police confirmed the same to AFP which cited a senior police officer in Multan in Pakistan, Sulan Azam.

Sharmeen Chinoy tweeted "#QandeelBaloch killed in an #honorkilling- how many women have to die before we pass the Anti Honor Killing Bill?"

https://twitter.com/sharmeenochinoy/status/754205798826438656

None at all! #QandeelBaloch was no role model but she deserved a better, life and death. Strongly condemn! https://t.co/Tj5J8Kev9Y

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) July 16, 2016

The 26 year-old was considered 'controversial' in Pakistan, because she was a social media star and posted her pictures online and posted statements challenging patriarchy and encouraged women to stand up for themselves. She grabbed a lot of attention when she declared she would do an online strip tease and dedicate it to captain Shahid Afridi if Pakistan won the cricket T20 final in March this year. Earlier in February, she donned a plunging scarlet dress on Valentine's Day and posted a video message openly defying the country's president, who had issued a stern warning against the "Western" holiday.

Now that I see women condoning her murder. This one post makes me want to cry. #QandeelBaloch pic.twitter.com/S2eoIGkBdy

— Ayesha (@Ayeshaspeaksnow) July 16, 2016

Also read: She fights against honour killings in Pakistan: Khalida Brohi

Qandeel's brother, who has been identified as Waseem had been threatening her with dire consequences unless she stopped posting her pictures and videos, reports Dawn. In fact three weeks ago, Qandeel had written to the interior minister, the director general of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and the senior superintendent of Islamabad, requesting  for security since she felt her life was endangered.

According to Dawn, one of her last Facebook posts, was this:

"No matter how many times I will be pushed down under... I am a fighter, I will bounce back."

Sadly, the young fighter has been silenced, and that too by her own kin.

REACTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

More than 20 women are murdered in honour killings every week in Pakistan #QandeelBaloch https://t.co/Hj16kLR2zG

— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) July 16, 2016

Please don't call this an 'honour' killing. It is a despicable murder. #QandeelBaloch https://t.co/8fDHlTzeAI

— Seema Goswami (@seemagoswami) July 16, 2016

And Indians mocking Pakistani society over #QandeelBaloch 'honour' killing, it happens in our backyard too. ALL THE TIME.

— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) July 16, 2016

Feature Image Credit: mypakistan.pk