A tragic incident in Pakistan has brought attention to the intersection of social media, family dynamics, and cultural values. Anwar ul-Haq, a man who had recently moved his family from the United States back to Pakistan, confessed to shooting and killing his 15-year-old daughter in Quetta. His motive, according to police, stemmed from his disapproval of her TikTok videos, which he considered “objectionable.”
The killing took place on Tuesday when the girl, who had been born in the U.S., was shot in broad daylight. Initially, Haq claimed that unidentified gunmen were responsible for her death. However, after further investigation, he admitted to the crime, citing her TikTok content, which he believed violated the family’s conservative values. Police investigations revealed that Haq and his family objected to the teenager’s dressing, lifestyle, and social gatherings, and tensions had been building over these issues since their return to Balochistan.
Haq’s daughter had been active on TikTok even after moving to Pakistan, and police suggest that her social media presence may have contributed to the fatal altercation. This case has sparked concerns about “honour killings,” a troubling practice in which individuals—usually women—are murdered by family members for perceived offenses against cultural or moral norms.
Pakistan, a country with deeply entrenched conservative values, has seen over 1,000 honour killings annually, with women often targeted for behaviors such as posting social media content, fraternizing with men, or engaging in relationships deemed unacceptable by conservative standards. In a country where social media platforms like TikTok have been criticized for promoting “obscene content,” incidents like this highlight the growing tension between modernity and traditional values.
Anwar ul-Haq, who holds U.S. citizenship, reportedly began to grow increasingly concerned about his daughter’s activities when they lived in the U.S., a place where the family had resided for around 25 years. Upon returning to Pakistan, these concerns intensified, eventually culminating in the tragic event. Police are continuing their investigation, and Haq has been charged with murder. His brother-in-law has also been arrested in connection with the killing.
While TikTok and other social media platforms have become a source of entertainment and expression for millions of young people worldwide, they remain a source of deep cultural conflict in many conservative societies, where the power of tradition often clashes with modern-day freedoms. This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge entrenched societal norms.
