Less than three years after being convicted, the brother of a social media celebrity dubbed “Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian” has been cleared of her murder.
In 2016, Qandeel Baloch, whose true name was Fauzia Azeem, was strangled to death, and her brother was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to life in jail.
Muhammad Waseem claimed at the time of his sister’s death that she had brought shame on their family for challenging traditional views of women.
Waseem was sentenced to prison in September of this year. His defense counsel, Sardar Mehboob, stated on Monday, Feb. 14, that “he has been entirely acquitted” by an appeals court in Multan, less than three years later.
Waseem was released when several key witnesses recanted their testimony, according to his lawyer.
The killer exhibited no remorse for the death of his sister, and neither did his parents hold it against him.
Waseem revealed that he ended the life of his self-described “modern-day feminist” sister because her online behaviors were “intolerable.”
Baloch suffered misogynistic abuse and death threats as a result of her feminism, but she courageously shared what she believed in in order to change “the traditional orthodox thinking” of Pakistanis.
Her assassination sent shockwaves across the country, prompting lawmakers to strengthen legislation so that killers would not be spared prison just because their victims’ families forgave them.
The acquittal was also verified by a government prosecutor. According to Agence France-Presse, he is anticipated to be released later this week.
Safdar Shah, the lawyer for Waseem and Qandeel Baloch’s mother, stated she had given “her assent” to Waseem’s pardon, although it has not been established that her approval sanctioned Waseem’s freedom.
Women’s rights activists in Pakistan have been shocked by Waseem’s acquittal.
“Waseem may now walk free whereas Qandeel was sentenced for stepping outside the confines of what is called ‘normal’ behavior for women in Pakistan,” said biographer Sanam Maher, author of “A Woman Like Her: The Short Life of Qandeel Baloch.”
“This man who admitted of killing Qandeel, his own sister, is a free man today in the same country where Qandeel couldn’t live her life freely,” lawyer and activist Nighat Dad wrote on Twitter.
“We are sorry Qandeel, this is the sorry state of not so sorry state.” “I’m stunned and speechless.”