Silenced by loved ones: Internet outraged by Maria's murder, likens case to Qandeel Baloch's

Incidents serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gender-based abuse

In a harrowing incident, a young woman named Maria, aged 22, was brutally strangled to death in the presence of her family members, including her father, in what appears to be a horrific case of honour killing.

According to a report by a local news network, the gruesome act was captured on video, showing Maria being choked while other family members, including her sister-in-law, looked on seemingly unperturbed. The video footage obtained by the local news network portrays a scene of unimaginable horror, with the perpetrator, identified as Maria's brother, carrying out the heinous act while being filmed by another family member.

In a chilling testimony provided to the local news network, Maria's brother Shahbaz and sister-in-law revealed distressing details about the events leading up to her tragic demise. They disclosed that Maria had confided in the family about being subjected to rape. However, instead of receiving the solace she sought, Maria was murdered in cold blood.

Shahbaz recounted the gut-wrenching moment when he witnessed his sister being mercilessly strangled by their own kin, while he stood helpless, fearing for the safety of his own children. Despite his desperate attempts to intervene, Shahbaz was met with threats of violence against his own daughters, leaving him with no choice but to document the barbaric act on his mobile phone, as a silent witness to the unspeakable tragedy unfolding before his eyes. The police have reportedly arrested two of the main accused persons and a case has been registered.

As news broke, many took to social media to express their horror and disgust over the incident. Feminist movement Aurat March posted on X, saying, "Maria, a 22-year-old girl, fell victim to the hands of her own brothers and father, who callously suffocated her to death with a pillow. This heinous crime, perpetrated within the supposed safety of her own home, sends shockwaves through our society, demanding urgent attention and action from the State of Pakistan. Aurat March stands in solidarity with Maria's memory, demanding swift and uncompromising justice for her murder." 

Likening her case to that of another prominent one, the organisation continued, "Maria's story is however not an isolated incident. It painfully reminds us of the tragic fate suffered by Qandeel Baloch, whose life was also extinguished through suffocation at the hands of her own brother, Waseem. Despite the glaring evidence against him, Waseem roams free, evading accountability for his heinous crime. How can the State turn a blind eye to such blatant injustice? The parallels between Maria and Qandeel's cases are striking and deeply troubling. Both women were silenced by those closest to them, and denied the basic right to live their lives free from fear and violence. Their deaths expose the systemic failures within our society and legal system that perpetuate a culture of impunity for perpetrators of gender-based violence."

Maria, a 22-year-old girl, fell victim to the hands of her own brothers and father, who callously suffocated her to death with a pillow. This heinous crime, perpetrated within the supposed safety of her own home, sends shockwaves through our society, demanding urgent attention… pic.twitter.com/lUXnNBKb4N

— Aurat March - عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) March 28, 2024

Another user of the site formerly known as Twitter noted, "Reading about the horrific murder of 22-year-old Maria in Toba Tek Singh, and I'm sick to my stomach. God protect the women of this country from the beasts in their own homes." Yet another remarked, "In a shocking incident in Toba Tek Singh, a brother has strangled his own sister to death as the whole family watched calmly and did nothing. The victim identified as 22-year-old Maria was strangled in front of her family as she watched them helplessly and they did nothing as her brother gripped her throat and strangled her."

Reading about the horrific murder of 22-year old Maria in Toba Tek Singh, & I'm sick to my stomach. God protect the women of this country from the beasts in their own homes.

— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) March 28, 2024

In a shocking incident in Toba Tek Singh, a brother has strangled his own sister to death as the whole family watched calmly and did nothing.

The victim identified as 22 year old Maria was strangled in front of her family as she watched them helplessly and they did nothing as… pic.twitter.com/PXO252dZ78

— Wali Khan (@WaliKhan_TK) March 29, 2024

One X user claimed that the incident showcased the "darkest side of humanity." They added, "My heart aches. Rest in peace Maria, far, far away from this dark and terrible world." One more said, "Aurat March protesters were right… Yes, all men are actual or potential threats until and unless women are safe in this country. This society enabled the 22-year-old Maria’s murder at the hands of her father and brother." An X user also scathingly stated, "Women are not safe even around their fathers and brothers? Shame."

This horrific incident is an example of the darkest side of humanity. The 22 year old girl was raped and murdered by her very own father & brother, who were supposed to protect and care for her. My heart aches. Rest in peace #Maria, far, far away from this dark & terrible world.

— Farah (@beau_reveur) March 28, 2024

Aurat March protesters were right… #YesAllMen are actual or potential threat UNTIL & UNLESS women are safe in this country. This society ENABLED the 22 year old Maria’s mu3der at the hands of her father & brother pic.twitter.com/2tJ7WE9o71

— Muneeb Qadir (@muneebqadirmmq) March 28, 2024

Maria, a 22-year-old girl, fell victim to the hands of her own brothers and father, who callously suffocated her to death with a pillow.

What???? Women are not safe even around their fathers & brothers?
Shameeeee

— Rabia (@raw_bya) March 28, 2024

A noteworthy post by one X user highlighted the debate around 'Yes All Men,' where the counter-question is often, 'Your father and brother too?' The user of the microblogging site remarked, "'Your brother and father too?' I'm quite sure that even now, men will ask us this question, despite video evidence and countless incidents of the horrors inflicted upon women by their own families. So yes, even them."

It actually usually starts from her male relatives. She is far likely to get hurt by them than another man

— 교시 베이 퐁 (@kyoshiibeifong) March 29, 2024

Perhaps the biggest gut punch came in the form of another video that began circulating on social media, soon after the news of Maria's murder was shared. As per local news, in a disturbing incident unfolding in the Gulshan-e-Ravi area, a woman named Maryam was subjected to a horrific act of violence by her husband and in-laws, reportedly for failing to meet their culinary expectations. The incident left Maryam with severe head and neck injuries.

According to initial reports, Maryam was purportedly pushed from the rooftop of her own home by her husband and his parents, following a dispute over the preparation of a meal. Maryam, who sustained critical injuries as a result of the fall, was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. Despite the grave nature of the accusations levelled against them, authorities have yet to take any of the suspects into custody, leaving Maryam and her supporters anxiously awaiting justice.

These chilling incidents serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address issues of domestic violence and gender-based abuse within our communities. They underscore the pervasive nature of violence against women and the profound impact it can have on individuals and families. As the community grapples with the aftermath of these senseless atrocities, questions linger about the failings of a society that allowed such atrocities to occur within the confines of a family home. 

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