A tragic incident unfolded in Pakistan on Tuesday, where a 16-year-old girl was allegedly killed by her father after she refused to delete her TikTok account, authorities revealed on Friday.
In conservative parts of the Muslim-majority nation, women often face harsh restrictions on behaviour, both offline and online, with some subjected to violence for perceived disobedience.
“The girl’s father had asked her to delete her TikTok account. On refusal, he killed her,” a police spokesperson confirmed.
According to a police report obtained by AFP, investigators classified the act as a so-called “honor” killing.
The murder occurred in Rawalpindi, a city neighboring Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Authorities said the family initially attempted to mislead them by presenting the death as a suicide.
“For honor,” the report noted, describing the father’s motive. He has since been taken into custody.
The disturbing case echoes another recent tragedy. Just last month, 17-year-old TikTok personality Sana Yousaf, known for her videos showcasing cafes, skincare tips, and traditional Pakistani attire, was killed in her home by a man whose romantic overtures she had rejected.
Yousaf had garnered a following of more than a million across her social media platforms.
TikTok has surged in popularity across Pakistan, particularly among youth with limited literacy, offering an accessible outlet for expression and income, especially for women.
In a country where less than 25% of women participate in the formal workforce, the app has become a rare space for visibility and earnings.
Despite its appeal, however, access remains uneven. The 2025 Mobile Gender Gap Report highlighted that while 58% of men in Pakistan own a smartphone, only 30% of women do, the widest gender gap in the world.
The platform has also come under repeated scrutiny. Pakistan’s telecom authorities have frequently blocked or threatened to ban TikTok, citing concerns over “immoral behavior” and content deemed offensive, particularly regarding LGBTQ themes.
Earlier this year in Balochistan, a region where tribal customs still strongly influence social order, a father admitted to arranging the killing of his 14-year-old daughter. His justification: TikTok videos he believed had tainted the family’s “honor.”
