No one deserves to be a target of honour killings, not even Qandeel Baloch
So I woke up earlier this morning to a shocking news story – about how Qandeel Baloch’s killing orchestrated by her brother in Multan. The 26-year old viral star was strangled and shot dead by her brother according to news reports. A controversial internet sensation, Baloch was a victim of countless threats and accusations of being too blunt and outspoken about her views on the social media. Reportedly, Qandeel Baloch’s last infamous stint was in a music video ‘Ban’ which accumulated over one million views in less than a week’s time. It was also reported that Qandeel had a son from her first marriage to Ashiq Hussain.
I, for one am tremendously furious and agitated by the many Pakistanis who take the law into their own hands and impose social order through abhorrent forms of violence; one of them being honour killings. Although I strongly condemned Baloch’s personality and views, I know that honour killing was not the answer to that problem. No human reserves the right to end anyone’s life, be it a man or a woman. Period. Qandeel Baloch’s problem was her own and her family members dealt with them, and her, with utter ignorance. She had been receiving countless threats for the past three weeks and rumors circulated on the social media that Baloch would be leaving Pakistan soon.
Like many others in Pakistan and abroad, I have not been able to understand Pakistan’s culture in its true essence. If a woman in her mid-20s wants to do something she likes, no one should have a problem with it. If, however, someone does have a problem with the content she displays, there is something you can do. Simply stop watching Baloch’s videos if you feel she is an exhibitionist or an attention seeking brat. Call her what you want, but when it comes to ending someone’s life, the decision does not lie in our hands. I assure you, if Qandeel was an American and would have carried on with her controversial stints, she would not have received a strong backlash from the western community. Since many westerners believe in their constitutional rights to ‘freedom of speech/choice’, I am certain that despite Baloch’s controversial image, she would have survived irrespective of hate mongering.
I cannot imagine where Pakistan is headed. I, for one had the misfortune of bearing witness to some horrific incidents which took place in my own rural neighborhood due to domestic violence, marital rape and honour killings, especially in the case of women who worked as housekeepers. Women are thwarted from working, beaten up by their in laws and what not. The only conclusion I can draw from such tragic tales is that we need to mobilise the rural areas of Pakistan. We think they are living a traditional lifestyle but there is more to their story.
As for Qandeel Baloch’s family, they should be apprehended and thrown in prison for encouraging an honour killing. Have we ever stopped to think for once what on earth are we doing to ourselves, our families? Honour killings are deeply rooted in Pakistan’s culture and cannot be overlooked. Pakistanis responsible for carrying out such violence are mentally and physically tuned to practice honour killings. Thus, I implore you all to take this matter seriously and preach on! For sure, we have the right to disagree but killing or murdering someone is simply unacceptable. We are not in a position to judge others based on their personality. Leave that to God, who is all knowing.
Our amatuarish columnists have gone berserk on this woman’s tragic end. But I resent the manner in which this writer is trying to make ours and American societies look alike! Such people expose their lack of a good background educationally and culturally. The Editor should vet himself. This column did not deserve to be here.
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