Selfie cleric faces probe in Qandeel Baloch murder case

Pakistani cleric Mufti Abdul Qawi, who was censured for appearing in selfies with murdered social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch, is being investigated in connection with her killing, the police said on Monday.

A police official in Multan said that Qawi, who was suspended from the Central Ruet-e-Hilal (moon-sighting) Committee after the photographs were published, was also a part of their investigation into her murder. However, the cleric would not be arrested for the purpose, said the police official.

Qandeel Baloch was murdered by her younger brother Wasim on Saturday in Multan to reclaim “honour” of the family after her provocative and bold videos were dubbed controversial by conservatives in the country. Wasim Baloch told police the selfies with the cleric instigated him to kill his sister.

Qawi, meanwhile, said that the decision was ridiculous, adding the law enforcement agency has not made any contact with him until filing of this report.

Qawi has denied any involvement in Baloch’s murder but said on Monday he would present himself to police for questioning if summoned. “My life is and has been like an open book and I have nothing to hide,” he said. Earlier, Qawi said neither Islam permitted killing for “honour” nor Qandeel Baloch’s murder could be justified through Sharia (Islamic law).

He said none could justify murder for “honour” of the family in light of Islam and murderer Wasim Baloch should be punished. He urged the government to take steps to end such attacks on women. Qawi said that Baloch wanted to meet Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and had contacted him for the same reason. After Baloch’s death her father, Muhammad Azeem, filed a police report against both his sons, alleging Baloch’s other brother Aslam had encouraged Waseem to carry out the killing. The police has declined to comment on Aslam’s role. Baloch built a modelling career on the back of her social media fame and was the family breadwinner. “She was my son, not a daughter. I have lost my son,” Baloch’s father said, according to the English-language Dawn newspaper.

“She supported all of us, including my son who killed her.” Azeem was also not available for comment.

After the outcry over the selfies with Qawi, Baloch held a news conference and appealed to the interior ministry to provide her with security. No help was provided.