The Multan bench of Lahore High Court acquits former social media personality Qandeel Baloch’s murderer. The court announced to release Muhammad Wasim, who is Qandeel’s brother and the main accused in the high-profile murder case.
A Lahore High court bench acquitted the accused after receiving the submission of consent. The mother of the murder victim as well as the killer, filed an affidavit in the court, pardoning Wasim.
Important to note, a model court in Multan had awarded Muhammad Wasim life imprisonment in the murder case in September 2019. Wasim had also confessed to the crime but denied it later when the formal charge was filed in the court. The court had also rejected the plea of Qandeel’s parents to pardon their son.
Read more: Qandeel Baloch’s parents pardon sons
On Monday, Waseem’s lawyer argued that the sessions court had ignored the affidavit submitted by Qandeel’s parents which stated that they have forgiven the accused.
“The father of the victim has died. The witnesses in the case have also deviated from their statements in the trial court,” he added, requesting the court to quash the sentence against Waseem.
Justice Sohail Nasir, consequently, acquitted Waseem.
Just a few years in jail and now the killer of Qandeel Baloch, her own brother, walks out free, after getting parent’s pardon.
Many had predicted that the killer, who was sentenced to a 25- year jail term after killing Qandeel in 2016, would not remain behind bars for long.
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) February 14, 2022
#QandeelBaloch brother aquited by Lahore High Court after pardon by mother. Despite admitting he strangled her, he will walk out of prison. Where is #JusticeForQandeel? Honor killings are on the rise in Pakistan…is it a suprise?@yazdanifauzia @afiasalam @ImaanZHazir @HRCP87
— Rabiya Javeri Agha (@RabiyaJaveri) February 14, 2022
Qandeel Baloch’s murder
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.
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.
The murder shook the whole nation. Many in Pakistan condemned the tragic demise of Qandeel Baloch who became an icon for challenging the norms. To clarify, before her untimely death, Qandeel Baloch posted a series of controversial selfies with Mufti Abdul Qavi. After the selfies, Qandeel began receiving death threats.
Reacting to Qandeel’s death, Mufti Qavi said her death should serve as an example for others who tried to malign the clergy, though he also stated that he had “forgiven her”.
Moreover, the police also investigated Mufti Qavi in connection with Qandeel’s murder. However, later the Multan Model court also acquitted Qavi.
Read more: Court rejects compromise in Qandeel Baloch murder case