A Pakistani court on Friday morning convicted the brother of social media star, Qandeel Baloch of her 2016 murder which sparked a change in laws and ignited fierce debate over the prevalence of ‘honour killings’ of women.

According to Sardar Mehboob, the lawyer to the accused, the court in the eastern city of Multan found Muhammad Waseem guilty of the murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Mehboob told Reuters by phone shortly after the verdict was delivered that his client had been convicted, stressing that he would file an appeal against the verdict.

He added that six other people, including two of Baloch’s other brothers had been acquitted by the court. 

Waseem had during a 2016 media conference organized by the Pakistani Police admitted that he strangled his 26-year-old sister due to her social media activities.

Ms. Baloch had made slightly indecent and sexually suggestive Facebook posts in which she spoke of trying to change the typical orthodox mindset of people in Pakistan.

Although she faced frequent abuses and numerous death threats, she continued to post provocative pictures and videos.

Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem was described as Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian. She went further to built a modelling career on the back of her social media fame, drawing criticisms from many in the conservative South Asian nation.

Her killing sent shock waves across Pakistan and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, prompting the government to tighten laws to ensure that killers do not walk free even if family members forgave them.

An estimated 500 women are killed each year in Pakistan at the hands of family members over perceived damage to the family’s honour. Such acts may include eloping, fraternizing with men or any other infraction against conservative values which govern women’s modesty.