Qandeel Baloch Murder Case: Prime Accused Sentenced To Life, Rest Acquitted

Multan

The prime suspect in the murder of Qandeel Baloch, Muhammad Wasim, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a model court in Multan.

The court has acquitted the rest of the suspects nominated in the case, including religious scholar Mufti Abdul Qavi.

On Thursday, the court had reserved its verdict in the case. Today, Muhammad Wasim, was handed the life sentence in the murder of the social media star.

Though the decision has been hailed by many, some have criticised the acquittal of the rest of the suspects, especially Mufti Qavi. Rights activist Nighat Dad took to Twitter to say that an appeal against the acquittal should be filed at the earliest.

All other accused have been acquitted. Appeal should be filed against their acquittal soonest. #JusticeForQandeel

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) September 27, 2019

Some have opined that people who engaged in bullying and criticising the star on social media were also responsible for her murder. Comedian Shehzad Ghias expressed on Twitter that ‘thousands’ were responsible for the star’s murder and that we needed to build ‘kinder’ online spaces.

Thousands are complicit in the murder of Qandeel Baloch. Although her brother, Waseem, got life, the others were acquitted.

As a society, we need to stop honour killings for once and for all, and build kinder online spaces.

— Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) September 27, 2019

Another user, critical of the decision, stated that ‘kangaroo courts’ in the country were making a ‘mockery’ of themselves.

Mufti qavi & all others are acquitted. Pakistan is proved to be a failed state again. The kangaroo courts in Pakistan making mockery of themselves by taking these type of stupid decision. #QandeelBaloch #JusticeForQandeel pic.twitter.com/hwOaWTNK9a

— Faisal (@FaisalViewss) September 27, 2019

Qandeel had been strangled to death by her brother, Muhammad Wasim, in 2016. The brother had confessed to her murder and said that Qandeel had dishonoured the Baloch name with the content she used to post on social media.

In August, the Qandeel’s parents had submitted an affidavit in court saying they had forgiven the killers, a request later rejected by court.