"I will never forgive my son for killing Qandeel Baloch"

On July 15, 2016, Qandeel Baloch, whose real name was Fouzia Azeem, was allegedly murdered by her brother in a shocking case of 'honour killing'. It has been a year, but her heartbroken father is still seeking justice, asserting that he wants to see his son punished in the strongest way possible.

Qandeel's brother had earlier confessed to the crime saying that his sister had brought shame to the family with her bold choice of lifestyle and racy posts.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Azeem said, "I will never forgive my son for killing my beloved daughter Qandeel Baloch. Those who think that I will forgive him are wrong. Strict punishment should be awarded to him for killing his sister so that no brother should commit such a heinous act in future."

After the death of the late celebrity, Azeem and his wife are living in poverty, as the artist known for her bold posts was also the source for financial stability to her parents.

"Qandeel was not my daughter but she was my son. She provided us financial and emotional support," her father said, adding that they did not have enough money to commemorate her death.

"My wife has gone to collect money from the people in our neighbourhood for Qandeel's death anniversary and we would continue to remember her till our last breath," he stated with tears in his eyes.

"I have no shame in calling Qandeel my daughter. After her death, we have been facing financial constraints. Sometimes we do not have enough to eat and to buy medicines. I pray to Allah that no girl is ever born in a poor family."

Azeem further lamented that while his daughter was alive they were living a happy and carefree life, and now they do not have enough money to travel to the court for her murder case hearing that is due on July 17.

Meanwhile, Azeem has accused the police and NGOs for their biased behaviour. "Police can make people confess those crimes which they have not committed. But in our case, no one is willing to take Qandeel's murder seriously even after the passage of one year," he said.

He also revealed that the police deprived them of all the things that belonged to Qandeel, including her mobile phone, purse and other valuables worth Rs1 million.