A tragic incident of honour killing has shaken the city of Quetta in Pakistan, where a 15-year-old girl named Hira was shot dead by her own father and maternal uncle over her TikTok videos. The father, enraged by his daughter’s social media presence, had ordered her to stop making videos. When Hira refused to obey, he conspired with her maternal uncle to kill her.
Anwarul-Haq, the father, had been living in America with his wife and children for several years. He had returned to Pakistan with Hira on January 15, leaving his wife and two other daughters in the US. The police investigation revealed that the murder was premeditated, with Anwarul-Haq and Tayyab Ali planning the heinous act.
Both perpetrators have been arrested and have confessed to the killing. The case has been transferred to the Serious Crime Investigation Wing for further inquiry. This incident sheds light on the dark reality of honour killings that still persist in certain parts of the world.
Meanwhile, in the United States, TikTok continues to face challenges as it remains unavailable on Apple and Google app stores. President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to approve the app under the condition that the US will own 50% of it. This move has received mixed reactions, with some, like Tesla CEO Elon Musk, supporting the decision to not ban TikTok.
Musk has been vocal about his stance against a TikTok ban, citing it as a violation of freedom of speech. He highlighted the imbalance where TikTok is allowed to operate in the US while certain American platforms are banned in China. Musk emphasized the need for a change in this unequal situation.
In a post on social media, Musk stated, “I have been against a TikTok ban for a long time because it goes against freedom of speech. That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but certain American platforms are not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced. Something needs to change.”
This tragic incident in Quetta serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of honour killings and the power dynamics at play in family relationships. It also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding social media platforms like TikTok and the complex issues of freedom of speech and international business relations.
