KARACHI: The parents of Qandeel Baloch said the social media star had been hopeful that her time to rise as a celebrity had come. She wanted to show the world what marvels a girl from a less-privileged section of society could achieve, they said.

The 26-year-old, popular for posting risque videos and statements on Facebook, was strangled to death by her brother. He was arrested by police in Dera Ghazi Khan and confessed to killing his sister in the name of `honour’.

Talking to BBC Urdu, Qandeel’s parents said they used to live in a village near D.G. Khan where Qandeel’s father had an accident in which he lost a leg, after which Qandeel brought them to Multan for treatment.

Now, Qandeel’s father said, he goes daily to the police station seeking justice for his murdered daughter.

“When she [Qandeel] used to send money, they all [her brothers] used to run to us to take their share,” said her father.

Qandeel’s celebrity life was marred by controversies but her family life was a tale of struggle and battling the odds at every step under social and family pressure.

“Qandeel came to Multan to celebrate Eid with her parents, and the brother who killed her came to stay at home for some reason,” her parents said.

Qandeel’s father said that he and his wife were drugged by their son and were asleep when the murder took place.

“She must have called out to us for help...but we couldn’t,” said Qandeel’s father.

“I say shoot my son on sight. He suffocated my little one,” he added when asked if he could ever forgive his son for the crime.

When asked about his relationship with Qandeel, her father said Qandeel was his “best friend and son”.

“She was the best son of all sons.”

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2016