PTI’s Parliamentary Secretary for Law Maleeka Bokhari said that the state was reviewing options in the light of laws and Supreme Court judgments in the murder case of social media star Qandeel Baloch.
Maleeka Bokhari revealed the news on her Twitter account. She remarked that honor killings of women and girls were a “black mark on our society”. Furthermore, she noted that the law was amended to ensure murderers do not walk free.
Read more: Honor killings: Pakistan’s continuing shame
“The State is undertaking a review of legal options in the Qandeel Baloch case in light of law & SC judgments. Honor killings of women & girls is a black mark on our society. Law was amended to ensure murderer of women, whether a ‘celebrity’ or ordinary woman does not walk free,” the PTI leader tweeted.
The State is undertaking a review of legal options in the Qandeel Baloch case in light of law & SC judgments. Honour killings of women & girls is a black mark on our society. Law was amended to ensure murderer of women, whether a 'celebrity' or ordinary woman does not walk free
— Maleeka Ali Bokhari (@MalBokhari) February 19, 2022
Her tweet comes amid the recent acquittal of Qandeel Baloch’s murderer. Earlier this week, the Multan bench of Lahore High Court announced to release Muhammad Wasim, who is Qandeel’s brother and the main accused in the high-profile murder case.
Born as Fauzia Azeem, Qandeel Baloch was a social media sensation. She rose to fame by posting provocative photos and videos which often caused controversies. Due to her social media content, her brothers strangled her in July 2016 in the name of honor.
Read more: Court Reserves Judgment in Qandeel Baloch Murder Case
Furthermore, Qandeel’s brother Waseem confessed to having killed her “because she brought dishonor to the Baloch name” with her social media videos and statement.
Pakistan in anger
The case became the most high profile “honour killing” of recent years — where male relatives kill women for purportedly bringing “shame” to the reputation of a family.
As a result, Pakistan changed the laws. Three months after Baloch’s murder, parliament passed new legislation mandating life imprisonment for honor killings. However, on February 14th, the court announced the acquittal of Waseem, a move that sparked outrage in Pakistan. According to the public, the system failed to deliver justice.
When it comes to women the state repeatedly tells you that you are patrimony of fathers,brothers, husbands &'killable', with legal sanction, in this case of superior courts.What a sad turn of events as not even law seems to reverse impunity men enjoy for violence #QandeelBaloch pic.twitter.com/ztTD848yvA
— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) February 17, 2022
Pakistanis, including government officials, urged the courts to review the decision. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the government will challenge the verdict in the Qandeel Baloch murder case before the Supreme Court.
Read more: My Tribute to Qandeel Baloch…