ISLAMABAD -- A Pakistani court has rejected a request by the parents of a Pakistani social-media star allegedly murdered by her brothers to free them.
Qandeel Baloch's parents on August 22 told the court in Multan, Punjab Province, where the two brothers are on trial for the apparent “honor killing,” that they forgave their sons "in the name of Allah" -- but not the other accused.
The court turned down the plea and said the case against Waseem and Aslam Shaheen will continue.
Twenty-six-year-old Qandeel Baloch was strangled in July 2016 in a killing that shocked many people in Pakistan where hundreds of women are killed every year over perceived damage to family honor.
In 2015, lawmakers closed a legislative loophole that had been used to allow perpetrators to avoid punishment because they could seek forgiveness from a family member.
However, Baloch's parents -- Muhammad Azeem and Anwar Bibi -- argued that because the change happened after her slaying, they should still be able to pardon their sons.
Baloch’s brother Waseem initially confessed to the murder, saying she had brought shame on his family, but later changed his plea.
Another six suspects in the case have been arrested in the case, while a seventh has absconded.
Parents Fail To Free Brothers Accused Of Killing Social-Media Star
With reporting by the BBC and Dawn
Editor's Picks
Subscribe
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Taliban Declares End To Doha Agreement With The United States
2Taliban Divisions Laid Bare As Afghanistan Power Struggle Intensifies
3AfD Surges As Afghan Attack Suspects Put Migrants At Heart Of German Elections
4Pakistan Sets Deadline For West To Relocate Afghan Refugees
5Two Killed In Botched Suicide Bombing Attack On Taliban Ministry
6Aga Khan Buried In Egypt After Shia-Ismaili Muslims Commemorate Spiritual Leader
7Can You Drive? Female Cabbie Breaking Down Pakistan's Gender Barrier
8Doctors Swamped With Malnourished Children At Afghan Hospital
9Afghans Cleared For U.S. Evacuation Fear Trump Reversal Could Allow Taliban To 'Kill Us'
10Is 2025 The Year Chinese Investments Take Off In Afghanistan?
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
