The brother of a murdered Pakistani celebrity said Sunday he is "not embarrassed" to have killed her, as Qandeel Baloch's death reignited polarising calls for action against the "epidemic" of honour killings.
The strangling of Baloch, judged by many in deeply conservative Muslim Pakistan as infamous for selfies and videos that by Western standards would appear tame, has prompted shock and revulsion.
"Yes of course, I strangled her," Baloch's brother Muhammad Wasim told reporters at a defiant press conference organised by police in the city of Multan early Sunday.
"She was on the ground floor while our parents were asleep on the roof top," he continued.
"It was around 10.45 pm when I gave her a tablet... and then killed her."
Wasim said he acted alone.
"I am not embarrassed at all over what I did," he said.
"Whatever was the case, it (his sister's behaviour) was completely intolerable."
Baloch, believed to be in her twenties and whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, was killed on Friday night at her family's home near Multan.
Her brother, arrested a day later after her father filed a police complaint against him for the killing, appeared in court briefly Sunday ahead of another hearing set for Wednesday.
Hundreds of women are murdered for "honour" every year in Pakistan.
The killers overwhelmingly walk free because of a law that allows the family of the victim to forgive the murderer -- who is often also a relative.
A vigil held late Saturday in Lahore was attended by dozens of mourners, while an online petition entitled "No Country for Bold Women" and demanding accountability over Baloch's death had gained more than than 1,600 signatures Sunday.
A scathing editorial in Pakistan's biggest English-language newspaper Dawn said her murder must serve as "impetus" for anti-honour killing legislation.
It lauded Baloch for "breezily" pushing the boundaries of what Pakistan considers "acceptable" behaviour for women, saying her determination to live on her own terms was "in itself an act of courage".
But many conservatives pushed back, with some echoing Wasim's statement by arguing that her family would have had "no choice".
Baloch was buried early Sunday near her family home in southern Punjab.
Face of honour killings in Pakistan
Some of Baloch's more notorious acts included volunteering to perform a striptease for the Pakistani cricket team, and donning a plunging scarlet dress on Valentine's Day.
She also posed for selfies with a high-profile mullah in an incident that saw him swiftly rebuked by the country's religious affairs ministry.
She told local media she had received death threats in the wake of the controversy, and that her requests for protection from authorities had been ignored.
Initially dismissed as a Kim Kardashian-like figure, she was seen by some as empowered in a country where women have fought for their rights for decades.
In her final Facebook post on July 4 she wrote how she was trying to "change the typical orthodox mindset of people", and thanked her supporters for "understanding the message i (sic) try to convey through my bold posts and videos".
"Qandeel was an extremely astute individual who knew that what she was doing was more than being the most loved bad girl of Pakistan," columnist and activist Aisha Sarawari told AFP.
Her killing "defines yet another setback for the women of our generation... This makes it harder for women. Period".
"Many in Pakistan have laid blame for her death on her bold and provocative public acts," noted Benazir Jatoi, who works with the Aurat Foundation, a local NGO working on women's legal and political empowerment.
"Qandeel has put a face to the countless ordinary Pakistani women that are murdered because society has given carte blanche to men," she added.
Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, whose documentary on honour killings won an Oscar earlier this year, slammed Baloch's murder as symptomatic of an "epidemic" of violence against women in Pakistan.
Obaid-Chinoy's film "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness" was hailed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who in February vowed to push through anti-honour killing legislation.
No action has been taken since then.
AFP
Sun Jul 17 2016
Qandeel Baloch's (pix) brother was arrested a day later after her father filed a police complaint against him for the killing. -Filepix
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.