Mufti Abdul Qavi, others indicted in Qandeel Baloch murder case

Dunya News

All the accused pleaded not guilty after charges

MULTAN (Dunya News) – The district and sessions court hearing the Qandeel Baloch murder case on Thursday indicted religious cleric Mufti Abdul Qavi and five others.

Additional Sessions Judge conducted hearing of the case.

In today’s proceedings, the judge indicted religious cleric Mufti Abdul Qavi, Qandeel Baloch’s two brothers her cousin and driver.

The accused pleaded not guilty after charges were read out to them.

The court then adjourned the hearing till May 14 and summoned witnesses.

Earlier in July last year, social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch was murdered by her younger brother in what police suspect was a so-called "honor killing".

The social media star had in a press conference demanded the Home Ministry to provide her security as she claimed to be receiving death threats, however, the department concerned refused to entertain the request.

Qandeel became popular for her videos which were tagged as ‘inappropriate’ and ‘vulgar’ on social media yet also managed to gain a wide audience. During her short period under the spotlight, Baloch constantly challenged the country’s obsession with claiming ownership over women.

Her actions baffled everyone including the progressive, the conservatives, and also feminists, as she developed a love-hate relationship with her viewers who guiltily indulged in gawking over every video she posted and later, took to social media to post hate messages, insults, and even rape or death threats.