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Police stop murdered Pakistani star's brother from using blood money law Police stop murdered Pakistani star's brother from using blood money law
(about 1 month later)
A man who has admitted killing his sister, a Pakistani social media star, in the name of his family’s “honour” will not be able to use so-called blood money laws to evade punishment after police took the rare step of becoming the complainant in the case.A man who has admitted killing his sister, a Pakistani social media star, in the name of his family’s “honour” will not be able to use so-called blood money laws to evade punishment after police took the rare step of becoming the complainant in the case.
Related: The dishonourable killing of Qandeel Baloch
A formal investigation had already been launched against Waseem Azeem, 25, who told a press conference on Saturday that he drugged his sister Qandeel Baloch and strangled her while she was sleeping. He said he did it because she “brought dishonour on the family name”.A formal investigation had already been launched against Waseem Azeem, 25, who told a press conference on Saturday that he drugged his sister Qandeel Baloch and strangled her while she was sleeping. He said he did it because she “brought dishonour on the family name”.
But on Monday police took over from the woman’s father, Mohammad Azeem, as the main complainant in the case. The step will make it impossible for the family to take advantage of Pakistan’s sharia-inspired laws that allow close relatives of murder victims to forgive killers.But on Monday police took over from the woman’s father, Mohammad Azeem, as the main complainant in the case. The step will make it impossible for the family to take advantage of Pakistan’s sharia-inspired laws that allow close relatives of murder victims to forgive killers.
Although Baloch’s father had already said he would press charges against his son, some observers feared Waseem Azeem would ultimately walk free from a case that has sharply divided opinion in Pakistan.Although Baloch’s father had already said he would press charges against his son, some observers feared Waseem Azeem would ultimately walk free from a case that has sharply divided opinion in Pakistan.
There has been widespread support for Waseem on social media with many Pakistanis sharing his anger towards Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, and who had become famous with risque Facebook videos and selfies.There has been widespread support for Waseem on social media with many Pakistanis sharing his anger towards Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, and who had become famous with risque Facebook videos and selfies.
Baloch, 26, once promised to strip on camera if the national team won a cricket tournament. Her unabashed breaking of taboos in a religiously conservative country made her a hero to some. But she left others infuriated, particularly when she posted selfies with Abdul Qavi, a leading cleric who lost his prestigious position on a “moon sighting” committee because of the scandal.Baloch, 26, once promised to strip on camera if the national team won a cricket tournament. Her unabashed breaking of taboos in a religiously conservative country made her a hero to some. But she left others infuriated, particularly when she posted selfies with Abdul Qavi, a leading cleric who lost his prestigious position on a “moon sighting” committee because of the scandal.
On Sunday police announced that Qavi, who was accused by Baloch’s mother of inciting Waseem Azeem, would also be investigated.On Sunday police announced that Qavi, who was accused by Baloch’s mother of inciting Waseem Azeem, would also be investigated.
Tahira Abdullah, a rights activist, questioned the police move to become a complainant, saying the law needed to be entirely reformed to ban the tradition of effectively dropping murder charges, which often involves the payment of blood money.Tahira Abdullah, a rights activist, questioned the police move to become a complainant, saying the law needed to be entirely reformed to ban the tradition of effectively dropping murder charges, which often involves the payment of blood money.
“The loopholes in the law must be closed,” she said. “There cannot be any compromise, waiver or forgiveness.”“The loopholes in the law must be closed,” she said. “There cannot be any compromise, waiver or forgiveness.”
Critics say it has helped encourage the practice of killing women and girls who were thought to have dishonoured their families, often for getting married without their permission.Critics say it has helped encourage the practice of killing women and girls who were thought to have dishonoured their families, often for getting married without their permission.
Related: Qandeel Baloch's brother admits killing her, say Pakistani police
The Pakistan Human Rights Commission estimates that more than 3,000 women were killed in “honour” cases between 2008 and 2014. The Aurat Foundation rights group claims that 1,000 women a year were killed.The Pakistan Human Rights Commission estimates that more than 3,000 women were killed in “honour” cases between 2008 and 2014. The Aurat Foundation rights group claims that 1,000 women a year were killed.
In February the Pakistani prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, vowed to reform the law after a documentary about honour killing was nominated for an Oscar, but no action has yet been taken.In February the Pakistani prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, vowed to reform the law after a documentary about honour killing was nominated for an Oscar, but no action has yet been taken.