A Pakistani appeals court on Monday acquitted the brother of social media star Qandeel Baloch of her murder, a 2016 killing that sparked national outrage and changes in laws covering so-called “honour killings”.
Muhammad Waseem appealed against his 2019 murder conviction and life sentence. “He has been fully acquitted” by a court in the eastern city of Multan, his lawyer Sardar Mehboob told AFP news agency, without giving further details.
The court order has yet to be made public. His mother had also submitted a statement in the court that she had pardoned him, a government prosecutor informed while confirming of acquittal. However, it was not clear whether the court considered the mother’s submitted statement in its decision.
The main amendment in laws dealing with “honour killings” in the conservative Muslim country was that no one could be set free based solely on a pardon by a family member.
In 2016, Waseem on record admitted for the murder of 26-year-old due to her active status on social media. In same case Mufti Abdul Qawi, a renowned scholar was also arrested for his alleged involvement in the case, later was released for lack of establishing evidence.
Baloch’s killing created waves across Pakistan and many came in support for her and the overall sentiment through social media provoked government to strengthen the laws regarding honour killing.