Qandeel had, ironically, made a risque Facebook video once with which she hoped to change “the typical orthodox mindset” of the people in Pakistan, wherein nearly 500 women are killed every year in the name of “honour.”
Needless to say, Qandeel's murder sent shock waves across Pakistan and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, even from those who had previously been critising the aspiring model for her overt sexuality. Yet, her parents pardoned their sons this August, following which the court stated that pardoning an accused is not legally permissible in the case of honour killings.
But in the latest developement, one of the brothers - Muhammad Waseem - has been found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. In Friday's 38-page verdict, Judge Imran Shafi acquitted five other people, including another one of Qandeel’s brothers, Aslam Shaheen, and Mufti Abdul Qavi, the cleric the late starlet had made another risque video with. The court has now declared Qandeel’s third brother Arif a proclaimed offender as well.
The recent turn of events has ignited a serious debate on social media, with many questing whether justice has really been served or not.
https://twitter.com/S_J_H_R_C/status/1177483877671063558
One user called the acquittal of prime suspect Mufti a "serious flaw in the judicial inquiry process," suggesting the matter must be resolved in all proportions, given that the facilitators of honour killings and murders roam freely.
https://twitter.com/Bon_Viveur2/status/1177476183631335431
Another sarcastically called the verdict 'good news.' He said,
"Why did they let Mufti Qavi go? Too powerful to convict him?"
https://twitter.com/IrshadA63220151/status/117751027519014502
One Twitter user went as far as to say that the cleric should have been sentenced to death to prevent society from going astray.
https://twitter.com/param9977/status/1177508586844327936
One wrote that maybe Waseem's life sentence can finally bring honour to his family.
What a strange, bittersweet feeling. The verdict isn’t the end, and it doesn’t bring a measure of relief or closure for me at least. When I saw the photos of Mufti Qavi being showered with rose petals outside court, I realised why. 1/ #QandeelBaloch
— Sanam Maher (@SanamMKhi) September 27, 2019
One user added the incident provoked 'a strange, bittersweet feeling' in her. "There was a court of public opinion for #Qandeel too, held everywhere from her village to the most metropolitan cities in the country. And we were very quick to convict her there and then absolve ourselves of any complicity in her undoing. However, it took 3 yrs to get a judgement for her brother," she wrote. "I wonder how long it will take us to realise that we shouldn’t let ourselves off the hook; that our social structure is rotten and works against people like #Qandeel who wish to make something of themselves on their own terms."
Today is the first time in my entire working life that I've seen a man getting convicted and sentenced for murdering his sister over 'honour'. #QandeelBaloch
— Annie Banannie (@journo_ON) September 27, 2019
Meanwhile, another user chose to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
And, Molvi Naqvi? Again, he is being protected.
— Veengas (@VeengasJ) September 27, 2019
As Half truth is more dangerous than lie - simultaneously - Half justice is more dangerous than injustice.#JusticeForQandeelBaloch https://t.co/7e4PiaL8fy
Others claimed that 'half of justice is more dangerous than injustice,' just as half the truth is more dangerous than a lie, implying that the case will now forever remain closed and the remaining suspects will forever roam freely.
https://twitter.com/UzmaC73/status/1177470518477254657
While this user dissolved the argument altogether with his remark.
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