Qandeel Baloch

Qandeel Baloch was a Pakistani model, actress, and feminist activist who became the country's first social media celebrity. Born Fouzia Azeem, she gained widespread prominence through digital content that addressed her daily life and women's rights. Her presence on social networks sparked intense debate across Pakistan until her death in 2016.

Early life and education

Fouzia Azeem was born on 1 March 1990 in Shah Sadar Din. This town is located within the Dera Ghazi Khan District of the Punjab province. She grew up in a Saraiki-speaking family that faced underprivileged economic circumstances. Her parents were Muhammad Azeem and Anwar Bibi, who worked as local farmers to support the household.

She had eight siblings, consisting of six brothers and two sisters. During her childhood, she showed an interest in singing and acting alongside her academic studies. Before she achieved internet fame, she worked as a bus hostess to earn a living.

Career

Baloch first entered the media spotlight in 2013 when she auditioned for Pakistan Idol. Her audition became popular online, which helped launch her career as an internet celebrity. She eventually became one of the top 10 most searched-for individuals on the Pakistani internet. Her fame relied heavily on bold social media posts, including various videos and comments.

Many conservative segments of society viewed her content as outrageous. She became famous for specific catchphrases such as "How em luking?" and "Maire sar mai pain ho raha hai." These phrases were widely adopted by Pakistani youth and appeared frequently on the social media site Dubsmash. While international media compared her to Kim Kardashian, local commentators argued she was more significant because she lived life on her own terms.

By 2014, she appeared regularly on Pakistani talk shows to perform songs or discuss her popularity. She also participated as a contestant in the program "Desi Kuriyan (season 4)" and worked as a digital manager at Neptuner Web Solutions. In June 2016, a meeting with senior cleric Mufti Abdul Qawi caused significant social media mayhem. After photos of their interaction went viral, Baloch became a frequent guest on current affairs programs. She often debated religious scholars regarding her westernized lifestyle and controversial actions.

In March 2016, she made headlines by promising to perform a strip dance if Pakistan won a Twenty20 match against India. Although she released a teaser for the stunt, Pakistan lost the match. As her influence grew, she used her platform to comment on the status of women in Pakistan. She released a music video titled "Ban" one week before her death to mock national restrictions on women.

Personal life

At age 17, Baloch married Aashiq Hussain, who was her mother's cousin. They had one son together during their marriage. She later fled the relationship after experiencing physical abuse and torture. After leaving her husband, she moved to Karachi and left her son with his father.

In June 2016, Baloch reported receiving death threats following her meeting with Mufti Abdul Qawi. She requested police protection from the state during a press conference. Her privacy was further compromised when images of her passport and national identity card were broadcast on the news. In July 2016, she told a reporter from the Express Tribune that she feared for her life. She planned to move abroad with her parents after the Eid al-Fitr holidays because she felt unsafe in Pakistan.

Baloch was murdered on 15 July 2016 at her parents' home in Multan. Her brother, M. Waseem, drugged and asphyxiated her while she slept. An autopsy confirmed that her mouth and nose were pinned shut to cause death. Waseem confessed to the killing, stating he did it because she brought disrepute to the family honour.

In September 2019, Waseem was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder. However, a Pakistan appeals court released him in February 2022. This release occurred after her parents agreed to pardon their son under the laws existing at the time of the crime. Her death prompted the Pakistani parliament to pass new legislation mandating imprisonment for perpetrators of honor killings.