Pakistani-American Man Admits to Killing Daughter Over TikTok Activity

Quetta, Pakistan – A Pakistani-American man has confessed to killing his teenage daughter after reportedly objecting to her TikTok videos, local police confirmed to the BBC.

The suspect, Anwar ul-Haq, who had recently relocated his family from the United States to Pakistan, admitted to shooting his daughter, Hira, in Quetta on Tuesday. At first, Haq told authorities that unidentified gunmen were responsible for the attack, but later confessed during police questioning.

Investigators have charged Haq with murder and are exploring multiple motives, including the possibility of an “honour killing.” Such crimes, though illegal, continue to occur in parts of Pakistan where traditional and patriarchal beliefs remain deeply rooted.

Police say the investigation is ongoing as they gather further evidence and statements from family members and witnesses.

Teen Girl Killed Over TikTok Videos as Pakistan Struggles With Ongoing Honour Killings

Quetta, Pakistan – The tragic death of 13-year-old Hira Anwar has reignited concerns about the persistence of so-called honour killings in Pakistan, where hundreds of women and girls are killed each year for allegedly violating conservative social or cultural norms, according to human rights organizations.

Hira’s father, Anwar ul-Haq, who recently moved his family back to Pakistan after spending 25 years in the United States, has confessed to murdering his daughter, reportedly over her TikTok videos, style of clothing, and social activities. Police have also arrested his brother-in-law in connection with the crime.

Born in the United States, Hira had an active presence on TikTok before her family’s relocation to Balochistan, one of Pakistan’s more conservative provinces. Authorities have seized her phone as evidence, though it remains locked.

Police have officially charged Haq with murder, and are investigating the incident as a possible honour killing. Although Haq has claimed U.S. citizenship, officials have not confirmed his nationality or whether the U.S. embassy has been notified.

Pakistan has previously banned TikTok multiple times, citing concerns over “immoral or obscene content,” even though the platform has more than 54 million users across the country.

Despite legal reforms, honour killings remain widespread. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimates that over 1,000 women are killed annually in such cases. Under a 2016 amendment to Pakistani law, perpetrators of honour killings now face mandatory life sentences, closing a loophole that once allowed families to forgive the killers and secure their release.

The issue has gained international attention through several high-profile cases. In 2023, an Italian court sentenced a Pakistani couple to life in prison for killing their 18-year-old daughter after she refused an arranged marriage. Similarly, the 2016 murder of Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch—killed by her brother in the name of “honour”—sparked outrage worldwide. Her brother, who initially confessed to the crime, was acquitted in 2022, despite having previously received a life sentence.

Hira’s death once again underscores the ongoing battle against deeply ingrained patriarchal norms in Pakistan, where women’s freedom of expression continues to clash with traditional expectations—and where the fight for justice remains far from over.

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