Honour Killing: 15-year-old girl killed in Pakistan’s Balochistan for making TikTok videos
A tragic incident of honour killing occurred in Quetta, Balochistan, where a 15-year-old girl named Hira was shot dead by her father and maternal uncle. This event unfolded on January 28, 2025, as a result of Hira’s refusal to stop making TikTok videos, which her family deemed objectionable. The girl’s father, Anwarul-Haq, who had recently returned to Pakistan from the United States, conspired with her uncle, Tayyab Ali, to murder her after she disregarded his demands to cease her social media activities.
On January 28, 2025, a 15-year-old girl named Hira was tragically killed in an alleged honour killing in Quetta, Balochistan. The perpetrators of this crime are her father, Anwarul-Haq, and her maternal uncle, Tayyab Ali. The motivation behind this brutal act was Hira’s refusal to stop making TikTok videos, which her family considered inappropriate.
Hira’s family had recently relocated back to Pakistan after living in the U.S. for approximately 25 years. Upon their return, her father expressed discontent with her dressing, social gatherings, and online behavior. After Hira refused to comply with his requests to stop creating content for TikTok, he plotted with his brother-in-law to kill her.
Both Anwarul-Haq and Tayyab Ali have been arrested and have confessed to the murder. Initially, Anwarul-Haq attempted to mislead authorities by claiming that Hira had been killed by unidentified gunmen. However, during police interrogation, he admitted to the crime. The case has been transferred to the Serious Crime Investigation Wing for further investigation.
This incident highlights ongoing issues of honour killings in Pakistan, particularly in conservative regions like Balochistan. According to human rights organizations, over 1,000 women are killed annually in Pakistan due to perceived threats to family honour. These killings can stem from various reasons including social media activity, interactions with men, or behavior deemed inappropriate by traditional standards.
