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In a horrifying act of domestic violence, 16-year-old TikTok influencer Mehak Shehzadi was shot and killed by her father, Ikhlaq Ahmed, in Dhok Chaudhrian, Takht Pari area of Rawalpindi, after she reportedly refused to delete her TikTok profile.
The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Rawat Police Station and has sent shockwaves across the country, once again highlighting the dangers young women face when expressing themselves online.
Father Demanded Deletion of TikTok Account
According to the police investigation, the father, Ikhlaq Ahmed, repeatedly pressured Mehak to shut down her TikTok and Instagram accounts, citing concerns over her growing public visibility on social media. Mehak, who was a matric student with a significant following, refused to comply.
In a fit of rage, the father allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding her before fleeing the scene.
Family Tried to Cover Up as Suicide
Initially, the family attempted to frame the incident as a suicide, but police suspicions and forensic evidence quickly disproved the claim. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered based on a complaint filed by Head Constable Shahbaz Anjum Kayani.
Rawat Police confirmed that a murder case has been lodged and a search operation is currently underway to apprehend the accused father.
Public Outrage and Debate Over Online Harassment
Mehak’s murder has triggered widespread public outrage, with civil society and human rights groups condemning the killing as part of a larger pattern of gender-based violence. Social media users are calling for stricter protections for digital creators and greater accountability for domestic abuse.
Echoes of Sana Yousuf’s Murder Case
This tragic incident comes just months after the murder of Sana Yousuf, a 17-year-old MBBS student and TikTok influencer in Islamabad. Sana, who had over one million followers, was shot dead in her home by 22-year-old Omar Hayat after she rejected his romantic advances.
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Hayat was arrested within 20 hours, and the murder weapon was recovered, sparking similar calls for justice and online safety for female influencers.
Pakistan’s Growing Struggle with Digital Freedom and Gender Safety
The murders of Mehak Shehzadi and Sana Yousuf underscore a deepening crisis in digital freedom and gender rights in Pakistan. As more young women use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to express themselves, many face harassment, coercion, and in extreme cases, violence—often at the hands of people within their own families.
Activists are urging the government to:
- Strengthen laws against digital harassment and domestic violence
- Educate families on online rights and safety
- Empower women and girls through awareness and legal protection
- Address cultural norms that suppress women’s autonomy
Conclusion: A Call for Justice and Reform
As the search for Ikhlaq Ahmed continues, Mehak’s murder is a stark reminder of the urgent need for societal and legal reforms to protect women’s rights—both offline and online. Her death must not become just another statistic in Pakistan’s long-standing struggle with patriarchal violence and digital suppression.
