Mufti Qawi to be questioned in Qandeel Baloch murder case

MULTAN, Pakistan, July 18 (UPI) -- Mufti Abdul Qawi, who was censored for appearing in a "selfie" with slain Facebook star Qandeel Baloch, is being investigated in connection with her killing in Pakistan.

The police chief said Monday that Qawi, who was suspended from a prominent Muslim council, has not been arrested but will be questioned.

"The scope of the investigation has been widened," police chief Azhar Ikram said. "The victim's brother, Aslam, will also be investigated. We are waiting for the forensic reports."

Aslam Azeem, a junior army officer, encouraged his brother Waseem Azeem to murder their sister, their father Mohammad Azeem said.

Qawi told Dunya News that he wasn't involved in the slaying and will appear for questioning. He said it was "ridiculous" for him to be been included in the murder investigation when Waseem had already confessed to the crime.

Qandeel Baloch, 26, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, was found strangled and drugged at the family home early Saturday. Waseem, 25, confessed to the killing, saying he did it for "honor" and had "no regrets."

Baloch was often referred to as the Kim Kardashian of Pakistan. She auditioned for Pakistan Idol in 2013 and soon after launched a Facebook page, posting videos that made her a pop sensation in Pakistan, with more than 750,000 followers.

Baloch's mother, Anwar Bibi, said that Waseem killed Baloch after being incited by Qawi.

She said at the time Baloch was killed, neighbors spotted a suspicious unknown man with a beard outside the house. Neighbors informed her that person then went inside Qandeel's house, the mother said.

Waseem was also in contact with Qandeel Baloch's former husband, Ashiq Hussain, the mother alleges.