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Pakistani Social-Media Star's Brother Arrested For 'Honor' Killing


Pakistani model, Qandeel Baloch
Pakistani model, Qandeel Baloch

Pakistani police have arrested the brother of social-media celebrity Qandeel Baloch and accused him of murdering his sister.

Waseem Azeem was arrested in the town of Dera Ghazi Khan on July 16, about 100 kilometers from the city of Multan, where Baloch was found dead in her family's home.

Azeem was presented to the media late on July 16 and said he had killed his sister "for honor" and added that he had no regrets.

Waseem allegedly killed his sister Qandeel Baloch.
Waseem allegedly killed his sister Qandeel Baloch.

​The killing of Baloch, who had recently stirred controversy by posting pictures of herself smoking with a prominent Muslim cleric, has caused outrage in Pakistan.

Vigils were held in Lahore and Karachi to protest Baloch's killing and calling for legislation to combat "honor" killings.

Police said Baloch, 26, had been suffocated as she slept.

Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, gained notoriety by appearing on the Pakistan Idol TV show and by conducting a social-media campaign in which she promoted women's rights in Pakistan's conservative society.

She had nearly 800,000 Facebook fans and 40,000 Twitter followers.

On July 15, hours before Baloch was killed, she posted the message: "No matter how many times I will be pushed down under...But I'm [a] fighter I will bounce back."

Based on reporting by AP and Al-Jazeera

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