Hypocrisy, the media and Qandeel Baloch

 It’s not “old news” – it’s a mindset

Icing on the cake, the media society of Pakistan enjoyed a ratings boost by with the ever-present discussion of her vilification.

After viewing the condition of Qandeel’s home, it seems that Qandeel Baloch’s murder was not an honour killing; rather, it was an economic killing. After analysing the incident that happened between Qandeel Baloch and Mufti Abdul Qavi in the month of Ramzan, it seems that it was not an honour killing rather killing in retaliation.

Qandeel Baloch, belonging to a very poor family, somehow found a shortcut to become a celebrity where her name became the one on everyone’s lips. Starting with the video she uploaded, in which she conveyed a message to Shahid Khan Afridi at the time of ICC Cricket World Cup, climaxing at the meeting with Abdul Qavi and ending with her brutal murder executed by her own brother, she is the loser of this story and our very own media the winner. In a country where there is a dearth of entertainment, youngsters would need an issue to talk about, share immoral pictures and video clips on social media and get amused. The country that is the top five in watching pornographic images and videos is where we all need issues like Qandeel Baloch to be entertained, and media to increase the rating of their shows and channels. What was the need of conducting full-fledged, sometimes exclusive programs (of even 50 minutes) on Qandeel Baloch on almost every other electronic media channel, when every media channel abhorred her, comment against her and so on?

No matter if the murderer (Qandeel Baloch’s brother) is continuously saying that he killed his sister in the name of honour, it is way beyond that. First of all, the murderer was a drug addict; such violent crime is much easier to reconcile and commit for someone with an addict’s mindset. Secondly, the murder of Qandeel was done in such a manner that shows it was a carefully pre-planned and executed. He gave her sleeping pills and strangled her to death when she fell unconscious. If the murderer were under the influence of drugs, he would have killed her with thoughtless brutality. Thirdly, it is quite possible that someone else directed Qandeel’s brother to do such heinous act because the climax happened in the month of Ramzan where every other person fasts, prays and keeps himself or herself away from making any sins. Mufti Abdul Qavi was exposed in the very holy month and was publicly mocked and shamed over the social and electronic media and even dismissed from his services in Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. It is safe to assume that his mind would have been swarming with negative emotions. Until derailed and thorough investigations have been completed, no decisive judgment can be passed.

From a psychological standpoint, Qandeel Baloch was not normal. She would go to any extreme to become popular. She did not even have any concern with her image and how people would see her, all she was obsessed with was her popularity. If we had gotten a chance to psychoanalyse her and got an understanding of her childhood, I am sure we would have got a clearer picture. When a person reaches such extremity, he/she loses control over themselves. Icing on the cake, the media society of Pakistan enjoyed a ratings boost by with the ever-present discussion of her vilification.

Qandeel was bold and fearless. She would defy the existing norms. Through what she did, she would grab the attention of people. If we see her photos and videos on Internet, there are many comments on them such as “die soon, go to hell, someone please kill her” and so on and so forth. I am sure these are the very people who are now seeing her from a heroic standpoint after her death. What hypocrite nation we are!

Having said that, Qandeel was the only one amongst her family who bought a house for her parents. Furthermore, she somehow arranged money for the dowry for her sister’s marriage and even was looking for a suitable “rishta” for her brother who just killed her over taunts from friends. Where was the “honour” of that brother when it was a time to get his parents a home and make arrangements for the necessities of her sister’s marriage? It is very easy to take someone’s life and very difficult to give someone a life and a reason to smile.

Kuj onj vi raavaan okhiyaan san,

Kuj gal vich gham ta tok vi c,

Kuj shehr day log vi zalim san,

Kuj sanu maran da shoq vi c (Muneer Niazi)

Qandeel definitely was on the wrong side for some of her conduct in life. But the murder cannot be justified anyway. The family should have disassociated with her if they didn’t like her. The country could have ignored her if they didn’t like her. And the brother could have done anything but taking her life. If the brother was so embarrassed and feeling shameful because of the taunts of his friends, why didn’t he take his own life instead?

The country that is the top five in watching pornographic images and videos is where we all need issues like Qandeel Baloch to be entertained, and media to increase the rating of their shows and channels. What was the need of conducting full-fledged, sometimes exclusive programs (of even 50 minutes) on Qandeel Baloch on almost every other electronic media channel, when every media channel abhorred her, comment against her and so on?

Why does a woman have to die in this society to give rise to the discussion of passing a bill of honour killing? This is very unfortunate and ineffective reactive strategy!

Not only are proactive steps needed in this society, but also a proper and overall mental, economic and social up-gradation of our people is needed. We are a nation built on courage and integrity. Land of the Pure – it is time we start acting like it.