I WAS not surprised to read the news that Qandeel Baloch’s family has decided to forgive their sons for killing their daughter. However, I must say I was relieved that the court rejected their plea.

Her brother, Waseem, who she had been supporting financially, confessed to killing her for honour. Another brother of the late social media star was also accused of the crime.

In a recent news item: “In the affidavit, submitted in a model court in Multan, Baloch’s parents stated that they have forgiven her alleged murderers and asked the court to acquit them. The affidavit said that the Anti-Honour Killing Laws (Criminal Amendment Bill) 2015 — which prevents killers from walking free after being pardoned by the victim’s family — was passed months after Baloch was murdered and, therefore, cannot be applied to her case. The legislation mandates life imprisonment for honour killings, but whether a murder can be defined as a crime of honour is left to the judge’s discretion.

The slain social media star’s parents had once before also requested the court to wrap up the murder case, saying they had forgiven both their sons, but their appeal was dismissed with the judge citing the anti-honour killing law.”

According to The Guardian she was born in March 1990. “Baloch was a high-spirited girl who loved climbing trees in the dusty back yard where chickens roamed.”

I hope this case sets a precedent and actually punishes people who deserve it.

Kiran Khan
Lahore

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2019