Pakistani Teen Killed Over TikTok; State Prosecutes

In the Dhok Chaudhrian area of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, 16-year-old Mehak Shahzadi was shot and killed by her father, Ikhlaq Ahmed, after she refused to delete her TikTok account, with the motive cited as 'honour.' The family initially misrepresented the incident as a suicide, but police investigations and post-mortem evidence confirmed it was a homicide. Ahmed attempted to flee but was apprehended, and the murder weapon was recovered. Authorities have registered the case under non-compoundable sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, ensuring state prosecution to prevent family compromise. The incident has sparked renewed focus on 'honour' killings and violence against women in Pakistan, with police officials vowing strict prosecution. The case highlights ongoing tensions between parental control and youth digital autonomy in the country.