ISLAMABAD: A man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to abduct social media influencer Samiya Hijab outside her home in the capital, police confirmed on Tuesday. The swift arrest came within 24 hours of Hijab filing her complaint.
The Incident
In a video statement posted on Instagram, Hijab said the suspect — identified as Hassan Zahid from Lahore — had been harassing her for months with threats and demands to marry him. On the day of the incident, she said he appeared outside her residence, snatched her phone, and tried to force her into his car.
“My mother was ill, my brother wasn’t home. When I stepped outside, he grabbed my mobile, sat in his car, and tried to pull me in,” she recalled. Hijab said she managed to record part of the encounter, which helped police identify the suspect.
Reference to Previous Tragedy
The influencer invoked the recent murder of her friend Sana, a teenage TikToker killed in Islamabad earlier this year after allegedly rejecting a marriage proposal. “Before this, my friend Sana died for the same reason. I do not want to become Sana,” Hijab said.
Police Action and Security Measures
Following her complaint, the Islamabad Police quickly registered a case and deployed officers outside her residence for security. Hijab later confirmed undergoing a medical examination that verified evidence of physical assault. She also reported receiving fresh death threats from the suspect, even after the FIR was lodged.
“Check the audacity — this morning he threatened again to kill me if I did not withdraw the case,” she said.
The suspect was taken into custody within 24 hours. Hijab expressed gratitude to Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi and station house officers Shafqat and Ishaq for their prompt response.
Call for Justice
In a follow-up message, Hijab demanded an exemplary punishment for the accused, stressing the need for deterrence.
“He thought he could abduct me, force me to marry him, and nothing would happen. That man was arrested within 24 hours,” she said. “Before anyone dares cast their eyes upon a sister or daughter, they should think 10,000 times.”
Hijab vowed to continue speaking out not only for herself but also for “every girl who is feeling unsafe right now.”
