Father Confesses to Shooting Daughter Over TikTok Content in Pakistan

A 15-year-old girl was killed by her father in Quetta, Pakistan, after posting videos on TikTok that he deemed objectionable

A 15-year-old girl was shot dead by her father in Quetta, Pakistan, on Tuesday after he expressed disapproval over her TikTok content.

The suspect, Anwar ul-Haq, who had recently returned with his family from the United States, initially claimed that unidentified gunmen were responsible for the killing, but later confessed to the crime.

Pakistani police officials revealed that the family had issues with the girl's lifestyle, her attire, and her social interactions, which were influenced by conservative norms.

Haq, who reportedly holds US citizenship, told authorities that his daughter had been creating 'objectionable' TikTok content while living in the United States and continued to post videos after moving back to Pakistan.

The police have charged Haq with murder, and his brother-in-law has also been arrested in connection with the killing.

The family had lived in the United States for approximately 25 years before returning to Balochistan, where the killing occurred.

The police investigation is ongoing, and the girl's phone, which was locked, has been seized for further examination.

The case has raised concerns about honor killings, a practice that leads to over 1,000 deaths annually in Pakistan, often linked to perceived violations of conservative societal expectations.

TikTok, a widely used platform in Pakistan with more than 54 million users, has been the subject of government scrutiny, with authorities blocking the app several times over content moderation issues.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has long documented the prevalence of honor-based violence in the country.