Pakistan’s Rawalpindi: Father Kills Daughter Over TikTok Account, Family Fakes Suicide

Kokcha News Agency reports that police in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, have detained a man accused of killing his 16-year-old daughter after she refused to delete her TikTok account. According to AFP, police spokesperson said, “The girl’s father demanded she delete her TikTok account. When she refused, he shot and killed her.”

Investigators have confirmed that, under the pretext of family honor, the suspect murdered his daughter on Tuesday, and efforts are underway to establish the crime’s motive and evidence. The police initially indicated that the family tried to hide the act by presenting it as a case of suicide, but evidence now points to a brutal murder.

The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Authorities added that similar incidents are not isolated; the family’s attempt to disguise the murder as a suicide is a reflection of the culture’s deep-rooted issues around honor and modesty.

Not the First Case:
This is not an isolated incident. Last month, a 17-year-old girl named Sana Yousaf, popular on TikTok for sharing her fashion, beauty routines, and traditional dress, was shot and killed at her home by a man she rejected romantically. Her account, with hundreds of thousands of followers, highlighted her favorite cafes, skincare routines, and traditional attire.

TikTok is extremely popular in Pakistan, where women’s participation in the formal economy is below 25%, yet many women earn income and gain social influence through social media. However, according to the 2025 Social Gender Inequality Report, only 30% of women own smartphones compared to 58% of men. Authorities often block or threaten to restrict access to TikTok, citing immoral conduct and “indecent behavior.”

Similar tragedies have occurred in regions like Balochistan, where a 14-year-old girl was murdered this year by her brother for posting videos on TikTok and allegedly bringing “shame” to the family’s honor.