Popular social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch, also a model and actor, was strangled to death by her brother in yet another "honour killing" in Pakistan, police said on Saturday.
Qandeel, known for posting bold videos and statements on Facebook, was killed by her own brother at the family home on the outskirts of Multan in Punjab, media reports said.
Qandeel's brother had been threatening her over her Facebook posts and videos, said the police. The brother fled after murdering Qandeel, whose real name is Fauzia Azeem, Dawn newspaper said.
Her father told the police that she was strangled by his son, The News International said.
The murder took place when she was sleeping in her room, said her parents, who were asleep on the rooftop.
There were no signs of bleeding and she seemed to have been strangled to death, a police officer said.
Qandeel, who became famous through her tireless self-promotion and suggestive "selfies" posted on social media, had amassed tens of thousands of followers.
"Nothing is good in this society. This patriarchal society is bad," she said in a recent interview.
Three weeks ago, Qandeel wrote to Interior Minister and the Senior Superintendent of Police in Islamabad asking them to provide security to her.
She had said her life was in danger and that she was being threatened via calls on her mobile number. “I need security from you,” she said.
The model seemed to be troubled in the last few days, Geo News Multan Bureau Chief said. "The last I called her for an interview, she was crying on the phone," he said.
She was planning to settle down abroad after Eidul Fitr, citing security reasons.
Qandeel was derided and feted in equal measure in Pakistan. According to Dawn, her videos had been viewed more than 830,000 times and garnered thousands of likes.
She first shot to fame in Pakistan in 2014 after a video of her pouting for the camera.
PAKISTANI CELEBS 'SHOCKED' AT QANDEEL BALOCH'S MURDER
Pakistani Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, actress Nadia Hussain, former model and fashion choreographer Frieha Altaf among others have expressed "shock" over the murder of popular social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch, who was killed by her brother.
Qandeel, known for posting bold videos and statements on Facebook, was killed by her own brother three days ago, the Dawn newspaper quoted police officer Azam Sultan as saying.
The murder took place in Multan in Punjab province.
Qandeel's brother had been threatening her over her Facebook posts and videos, said the police. The brother fled after murdering Qandeel, whose real name is Fauzia Azeem.
Earlier, TV channels reported that Qandeel, who became famous through her tireless self-promotion and suggestive "selfies" posted on social media, was shot by her brother. Police say she was "strangled to death" at her residence.
Sharmeen, who won two Academy Awards for the documentaries "Saving Face" and "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness", wrote on Twitter: "Qandeel Baloch killed in an honour killing. How many women have to die before we pass the Anti-Honour Killing Bill?"
Nadia, who is known for TV shows like "Ladies Park" and "Shert" wrote: "Was this expected? RIP".
Frieha, CEO of Catwalk Event Management, called Qandeel "sweet" and "alive".
"Spoke to Qandeel Baloch last night! She was so sweet and excited and alive! This is horrible. When does this stop(?)", she wrote.
Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Hasan Zaidi called the murder a "barbaric" act.
"Qandeel Baloch strangled to death by her brother! Whatever she may have been or done to shock our moralists, this is just so barbaric," he wrote.
Fifi Haroon, who sang for popular sufi rock band Junoon on the song "Jogia" said she was "absolutely stunned and shocked" by Qandeel's murder.
"25-year-old Qandeel Baloch killed by her brother. Senseless end," Fifi wrote.
Pakistani novelist Kamila Shamsie, known for her books like "Burnt Shadows" and "Kartography", called it "another bleak day for Pakistan and its 'honour'".
