Pakistani star murdered by brother for 'honour'

Qandeel Baloch (Facebook)

The brother of a Pakistani social media star has candidly confessed to the killing of his sister, saying he did it for the family's honour.

Qandeel Baloch, 25, was murdered on Friday - drugged and strangled in her family home in the city of Multan in the Pakistani province of Punjab.

Waseem Azeem went on the run after the murder and was later arrested by police. In his confession he expresses no regret, saying women are meant to stay at home and follow tradition - something his sister never did.

"I am proud of what I did. I drugged her first, then I killed her," says Azeem.

"She was bringing dishonour to our family."

The death has shone a spotlight on "honour killings" of women that aren't uncommon practise in Pakistan, usually perpetrated by a woman's family. Provocations for the crimes range from talking on a cellphone, to dancing in public, to refusing an arranged marriage.

Baloch, whose real name is Fauzia Azeem, was forced to marry a man she described as an "animal" when she was just 17. She divorced him after 18-months but as a result forfeited custody of their son.

Popularly known as the Pakistani Kim Kardashian, Baloch started at the bottom in 2012, with small fashion shows and photo shoots.

In 2013 she had her biggest break when she appeared on Pakistan Idol.

In 2016, she was seen as a modern day feminist, believing the questions she raised about Pakistani society gave hope to girls growing up.

"Being a girl, think yourself, how difficult it is to move around as a woman in this society. How many men do you encounter who bother you?" she said in an interview with local media outlet Dawn.

"The same way, I have struggled through difficulties to make a place for myself in showbiz. It was very difficult. What kind of problems I have faced, I don't think anyone can understand."

In Pakistan Baloch was both hated and revered. Her sexuality was seductive and enraging to Pakistani men who believe tradition must be upheld.

"I want to give my followers a positive message, I want to give those girls a positive message who have been forcefully married, who continue to sacrifice. I want to be an example for those people. That's my aim."

Baloch had performed under a pseudonym until June, 2016 when her personal information including her name was published online as a result of backlash from her open condemnation of Pakistani practices.

In an interview two days before her death she spoke about being fearful of her brothers.

Legal consequences are commonly avoided following "honour killings" but Pakistani authorities have barred the Azeem family from "forgiving" their son.

Police have also widened their investigations into the murder to now include prominent Muslim cleric Abdul Qavi.

Baloch posted a photo to social media where she appeared to be sitting on Qavi's lap before her murder.

Newshub.

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