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A Pakistani social media star was allegedly strangled to death by her brother in an “honour killing”, police said.
Qandeel Baloch, known for posting controversial photos of herself on social media, was killed in her family home on the outskirts of Multan, a large city in the Punjab province.
Baloch, 26, real name Fouzia Azeem, had stoked controversy in the country by openly living a Westernized lifestyle and posting her exploits on social media including Facebook and Twitter. Divorced from her husband, she had been nicknamed ‘Pakistan’s Kim Jardashian,’ and ‘Pakistan’s first social media star.’
Her death divided online media on Saturday. Many celebrated the death of a woman who they said brought shame to Muslims as a whole and to her family in particular. Others mourned the passing of a modernizer and force for societal change.
Baloch shot to fame in 2014 with a viral video “How em looking?” and achieved notoriety this year with the promise to do a striptease if the Pakistan national cricket team won an international match. They lost and she did not strip.
She also posted videos, which were tame by Western standards, of her in swim suits and tight trousers. In another video she appeared on screen with a Mufti (Muslim cleric) and exchanged views about religion.
Pakistan, which in 2012 temporarily blocked access to YouTube, is one of several countries currently making moves to restrict freedom of speech online. In recent months the lower house of parliament has approved legislation that allows the Internet to be blocked for reasons of “integrity, security or defense.” Already the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority may have the power to require the removal of content it deems offensive.
Baloch’s last Facebook posting, on July 4, read: “At least international media can see what i am upto. How i am trying to change the typical orthodox mindset of people who don’t wanna come out of their shells of false beliefs and old practices.”
In recent weeks Baloch is understood to have asked for more security.
Agencies/Canadajournal
What religion is her brother who did this honour killing???