Qandeel Baloch

“Please don't compare me with Taher Shah. He is a joker, while I am an artiste - I am a model and an actress. Taher Shah comes, makes people laugh, and goes away. I work with a lot of honesty.”

“I tried it, but frankly, I don't know how to twerk.”

“I want to create a platform for those people who want to come to this field. These people will face hurdles and problems that don't allow them to show their talent. So I want to make a platform that they can easily access, and then, at least, they won't be a victim of these problems.”

“Pakistan is a free country, so according to me, in a free country, it's every right of the citizen to live the way they wish.”

“It was my wish since I was a child to become something, to be able to stand on my own two feet, to do something for myself.”

“My aim is to change the social norms of Pakistan; women here look up to me. I started very early, worked on myself, and the effect is for all to see.”

“Many said I am not a Baloch and I have nothing to do with the community; in general, the feeling is that I am doing everything to bring shame to Pakistan. But I will not stop.”

“I want to give my followers a positive message. I want to give those girls a positive message who have been forcefully married, who continue to sacrifice. I want to be an example for those people. That's my aim.”

“I am not hungry for roles on TV or in films. I am happy being a social media sensation.”

“I did a job. I completed my Matric and my Bachelors. I did a marketing job. I worked as a bus hostess. I did a lot of jobs; I struggled a lot. I got out from there. The first thing I did when I got out of Darul Aman was my Matric. Then I did my Bachelors privately; I kept doing it.”

“Nothing is good in this society. This patriarchal society is bad.”

“At least international media can see how I am trying to change the typical orthodox mindset of people who don't want to come out of their shells of false beliefs and old practices.”

“Media is not supporting me. They're saying that I want to marry Imran Khan, but I'm already married. This is wrong. What about my self-worth? My identity? I am a social media sensation. I am a fashion icon.”

“I have already applied to the Home Ministry for security. So far, I have got nothing. For security, I am staying underground.”

“I am facing threats. But I believe that death is preordained - when you are meant to die, you will die.”

“It was about 2012, 2013. I started from zero. Small fashion shows, small photoshoots. I've seen a lot. I've seen a lot of things up close. I married my sister off; I gave jahez for her wedding. I tried to keep relations going with my family. I bought a house for them in Multan. My parents are settled in Multan; my house is there.”

“It's time to bring a change because the world is changing. Let's open our minds and live in present.”

“I have no interest that I go to India or go to Hollywood or Bollywood. I'm not interested. I am a social media sensation. This is what I like.”

“What do you think will happen in a forced marriage? With an uneducated man, an animal. What would I say, that I am already married? Why would I say it? I never accepted him as my husband in my heart or mind. How I spent a year and a half with him, only I know. And I only did it because of the child.”

“I don't know how many girls have felt support through my persona. I'm a girl power. So many girls tell me I'm a girl power, and yes, I am.”