Qandeel Baloch case: Brother held for Pakistan celebrity's murder

Qandeel Baloch's brother, Waseem (R), reportedly said he drugged and strangled his sister

The brother of Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch has been arrested for her murder.

The brother, Waseem, 25, was arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan in central Pakistan on Saturday night. The Dawn newspaper said he had confessed to the murder, saying he drugged and strangled her "for dishonouring the Baloch name".

Ms Baloch appeared alongside a Muslim cleric in images uploaded on to social media

Qandeel Baloch, 26, became a household name for posting sometimes raunchy photographs, comments and videos. She recently caused controversy by posting pictures of herself alongside a Muslim cleric.

Ms Baloch had been bitterly critical of Pakistan's patriarchal society

Dawn quoted her brother as saying: "She wasn't aware I was killing her. I gave her a tablet and then strangled her."

• How the murder reflects a divided country

Speaking after his arrest, he said: "I am not ashamed. We are Baloch and as Baloch we cannot tolerate. He pointed to videos his sister had made, and specifically the images taken with the cleric, Mufti Abdul Qavi.

Police said the brother had escaped to Dera Ghazi Khan after the killing in the Karimabad area of Multan early on Saturday morning. They said he fled with two friends who were still being sought.

Ms Baloch, whose real name was Fouzia Azeem, was buried on Sunday morning in her ancestral village near Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab province. Images from the scene showed scores of people attending the services.

Mufti Qavi, who said he had forgiven Ms Baloch for her actions, had offered to lead the funeral prayers, reports said.