US-born teen killed by father in Pakistan over TikTok videos
What's the story
In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old girl was shot dead by her father in Pakistan's Quetta, over her TikTok activity. The father, Anwar ul-Haq, who recently returned to Pakistan from the United States (US), confessed to the crime after initially blaming unidentified gunmen for his daughter's death. Police official Babar Baloch said Haq was against his daughter's "objectionable" TikTok content and her lifestyle choices.
Motive unveiled
Investigation reveals family's objection to victim's lifestyle
"Our investigation so far has found that the family had an objection to her dressing, lifestyle, and social gathering," police investigator Zohaib Mohsin added. The incident is being investigated as a potential "honor killing," a practice in which over 1,000 women are killed each year in Pakistan, according to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, for allegedly damaging family honor.
Return and arrest
Family's return to Pakistan and arrest of relative
The family had recently moved back to Balochistan province in Pakistan after spending around 25 years in the US. Haq, a US citizen, told police that his daughter started making "objectionable" content on TikTok while they were still in America and continued to do so after returning. In connection with this premeditated murder, Tayyab Ali, Haq's brother-in-law, has also been arrested by the authorities.
Social media scrutiny
TikTok's popularity and content issues in Pakistan
TikTok is hugely popular in Pakistan, with more than 54 million users. However, the platform has also been banned several times by the government for failing to moderate content. The government often asks the platform to take down what it considers "obscene content." As of now, it remains unclear if the US embassy had been informed of the case or not.