ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Before she was killed by her brother to protect “family honour”, 25-year-old Qandeel Baloch had become somewhat of an icon in Pakistan, inspiring and shocking the conservative nation in equal measure.
The controversial model hit the headlines in March after promising to strip if Pakistan defeated India in the World T20, a pledge that outraged many but also won her numerous fans and cemented her place as a risqué but popular internet sensation.
She even offered her half a million Facebook fans a “trailer to the full show”, only to have her page temporarily blocked following a shower of complaints.
Earlier, she also sent a message to Shahid Afridi before the big match that she was willing to give the Pakistan skipper “anything” if his team beat India.
Born in Pakistan’s Dera Ghazi Khan, Baloch steadily climbed the social media popularity charts by posting risque videos and images on social media websites, including Facebook.
Her so-called antics triggered much speculation on why she acted the way she did. “She is all about seeking attention, which suggests a restricted family background,” said psychologist Faisal Mamsa.
{{/usCountry}}Her so-called antics triggered much speculation on why she acted the way she did. “She is all about seeking attention, which suggests a restricted family background,” said psychologist Faisal Mamsa.
{{/usCountry}}Nationalist parties of Balochistan insisted she was not from their province, despite her surname. “She is a fake Baloch,” said nationalist party leader Ali Muhammad Kurd. “She needs to be exposed.” But the backlash did little to dent her popularity, with her videos showing her in suggestive poses and dances sold on DVDs.
Her social media profiles spawned many others in Pakistan and triggered comparisons with socialite Kim Kardashian. Qandeel’s career highlights comprised television appearances, where her antics brought her into the limelight more than her turns in TV shows magazine shoots.
The memory of her Pakistan Idol audition lingers, said one writer, while Qandeel prided herself on being a morning show favourite, her cattiness bringing on the drama that made ratings shoot up.
Her risqué videos on the internet even prompted discussions on whether she was breaking any media laws. But legal expert Sara Shah said, “The only thing she is doing is spreading vulgarity, for which there is no specific procedure other than a complaint at the police station.”