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A Pakistani man accused of murdering his 15-year-old daughter, a US-born citizen, admitted on Thursday that he killed her because she continued posting TikTok videos despite his warnings. The victim, who had traveled to her family's hometown of Quetta in Balochistan on January 15, was allegedly shot dead by her father and uncle on Tuesday.

Authorities have taken both suspects into 10-day police remand, while the girl's younger brother is being questioned for further details. Initially, the father and uncle falsely claimed she had been killed in an aerial firing incident outside their home.

Investigation Underway: Was the Murder Planned?

Senior police official Abad Baloch stated that authorities are investigating whether the father brought his daughter to Pakistan with the intent to kill her, as US laws are stricter on such crimes.

Honor Killings Remain Prevalent in Pakistan

Honor killings continue to be a major issue in Pakistan, with women often targeted for perceived violations of family dignity. Even in urban centers like Karachi, brutal cases have been reported.

  • In October 2023, a man murdered his mother, sister, sister-in-law, and niece because they refused to stop making TikTok videos. He slit their throats in their Lea Market apartment and later tried to deny involvement before being arrested.
  • In another horrific incident, a man strangled his wife to death in front of his parents, while a friend recorded the murder. The video was later leaked on social media, leading to the arrest of the man and his family in Punjab.

Rising Cases of Honor Killings in Pakistan

Honor killings are often committed under deep-rooted societal beliefs about family dignity and shame, with even couples marrying without consent becoming victims.

  • In 2024, at least 346 women and 185 men lost their lives due to honor killings in Pakistan.
  • In 2023, the reported numbers were 314 women and 176 men.

Despite increasing awareness and legal actions, honor killings remain a grim reality, with families often shielding perpetrators instead of seeking justice.