Rawalpindi: A 16-year-old girl was shot dead by her father in Rawalpindi on Tuesday after refusing to delete her TikTok account, in a tragic case highlighting the dangers of so-called “honour” killings in Pakistan, police reported.
The incident occurred in the Dhok Chaudhryan Takht Padi area, where the Class 9 student was killed by her father, Akhlaq Ahmed, who was angered by her presence on the video-sharing platform. According to police, Akhlaq fled the scene but was later arrested after the family initially tried to disguise the murder as a suicide. A post-mortem confirmed homicide, and a case has been registered under serious charges. City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani ordered a thorough investigation, emphasizing that crimes against women and children are intolerable.
The killing has sparked outrage, with activists highlighting the risks women face on social media in conservative areas. TikTok’s popularity in Pakistan offers women rare opportunities for income and visibility, yet only 30% of women own smartphones compared to 58% of men, per the 2025 Mobile Gender Gap Report. This case follows the recent murder of TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf, underscoring ongoing gender-based violence concerns.
