TikTok’s Dark Side: Rising Honour Killings and Violence Against Women in Pakistan Spark Calls for Nationwide Ban

In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the growing influence of the social media app TikTok is raising serious concerns about morality, safety, and societal values. Once hailed for providing an expressive outlet and economic opportunity—particularly for women—TikTok has now become a troubling platform where digital visibility is increasingly translating into real-world violence, especially against young girls and women.

In a shocking incident this week, Rawalpindi police reported that a father shot and killed his 16-year-old daughter after she refused to delete her TikTok account. According to the police spokesperson, the man acted out of so-called “honour” and was arrested shortly after the crime. Initially, the family attempted to frame the murder as a suicide, but investigations quickly uncovered the disturbing truth.

This is not an isolated case. Just last month, “17-year-old influencer Sana Yousaf”, who had amassed over a million followers for her videos showcasing fashion, skincare, and local culture, was gunned down at home by a man whose romantic advances she had refused. Her popularity and presence on TikTok made her a target for obsession—and ultimately, violence.

Earlier this year in Balochistan, a man confessed to orchestrating the murder of his 14-year-old daughter, claiming that her videos on TikTok had brought dishonour to the family.

These tragic incidents reflect a broader and deeply troubling trend: a surge in honour-based violence linked to TikTok usage, particularly against females. Women in Pakistan, where only 30% own smartphones compared to 58% of men (the widest gender gap in mobile ownership globally), have used the app to gain visibility and financial independence. Yet, this same visibility is exposing them to stalking, harassment, and even murder.

TikTok’s content—often seen as sexually suggestive or culturally inappropriate—has drawn consistent backlash from conservative quarters. Pakistan’s telecommunications authorities have repeatedly blocked or warned against the platform for promoting immoral behaviour. However, the growing number of deaths and honour killings connected to TikTok use now suggests that the consequences have gone far beyond concerns of decency—they are now matters of life and death.

In a country founded on Islamic principles, such vulgarity, obsession, and the violence it breeds is utterly unacceptable.The government must take decisive action. A complete and permanent ban on TikTok should be seriously considered to prevent further exploitation, protect vulnerable women and girls, and preserve the moral fabric of society.

What was once seen as a tool of entertainment and empowerment is now revealing its dangerous underside—where the cost of a TikTok video could be a woman’s life.