Social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch, who was strangled in what appeared to be an “honour killing,” in Multan, Pakistan, is pictured in a selfie on her Facebook page. (Baloch/Facebook/via Reuters)

Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch, touted as the Pakistani ‘Kim Kardashian’ was loved and loathed for her controversial comments and viral videos. Last week, she was murdered by her brother because he believed that she had been dishonoring the ‘Baloch’ name. 

Qandeel Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeen was ruthlessly murdered by her own brother. The inexcusable reason: Baloch had dared to live life on her own terms. She spoke her mind and did not shy away from making bold comments on cricketers, politicians, religion and the patriarchal society she lived in.

She rose to fame through her ‘immodest’ video clips that she shot on her mobile phone. The videos were delivered to millions on the internet straight from her bedroom. It was through these provocative videos that many believed that Baloch had brought dishonor to herself, her family, the Pakistani women and the nation.

Deep thoughts from “head of strategy” at Pakistan’s “leading digital and social media agency”. Wow. pic.twitter.com/f0Y5c6jYY4

— Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) 16. Juli 2016

She became an unparalleled cultural icon in a country where she defied all the norms that the society imposed on her. She was sexy and provocative and insisted on being heard and seen in a nation where the conservatives wanted neither of it. She was mocked for her silliness, loathed for her boldness and silenced for her rebelliousness. But, it is precisely these reasons why a large section of the society also admired her. Baloch did not skirt around the issues of female sexuality and desire. She was seeking revenge. In her own words, Baloch said in an interview that her boldness was her revenge to her country.

“Masculinity so fragile a woman only needs to breathe to hurt it.” #LiveAndLetLive #Pakistan #QandeelBaloch pic.twitter.com/Vgg0RcQ3yY

— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) July 17, 2016

She was a lot of things but she wasn’t a hypocrite and this is precisely why she made many people uncomfortable. She made conservative women uncomfortable because she dared to bold and brazen. She made conservative men uncomfortable because they were perturbed by her desire and her courage to be who she wanted to be. She was even shrugged off by the elites who had to guard their liberal views and draw a clear line by portraying her as ‘silly’ or ‘narcissist’. Baloch made no qualms about being ambitious and doing whatever she needed to in order to achieve her goals.

We bury our sister Qandeel Baloch alongside thousands of our sisters who have been murdered to protect misogyny, patriarchy, male fragility.

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) July 16, 2016

Her death has now sparked an outrage in the nation when thousands poured into the streets to hold a candlelight vigil in her memory. This is a good sign because Qandeel had only just begun. Her death now serves as an ugly reminder of the society that suppresses women who don’t live by its rules. And more and more women are now questioning the patriarchy around them.

#QandeelBaloch was larger than life, in your face, unapologetic about her ambitions and her womanhood. Goodbye, you crazy, beautiful woman

— Feminism Matters™ (@WeNeedFeminlsm) July 17, 2016

Baloch was supporting her family financially including the brother who thought it fit to strangle her because she was bringing dishonor upon them. Her attempt to educate the society around her got her into trouble and cost her life. But she was a trailblazer who has paved the path for many young women in the country who idolized her.

#QandeelBaloch – stop violence against women and trans! Stop now! pic.twitter.com/01wmwFd1Qy

— meena gabeena (@gabeeno) July 17, 2016

Let us hope that her death isn’t soon forgotten and Baloch doesn’t just become a name scribbled in a long list of women who were silenced. Let us remember her as a hero of girl power. “I am a social media sensation, I am a fashion icon,” she said. “I don’t know how many girls have felt support through my persona. I’m a girl power. So many girls tell me I’m a girl power, and yes, I am.”

Author: Roma Rajpal Weiß (Twitter: @romarajpal)

Editor: Marjory Linardy

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