A tragic event unfolded this week as Anwar ul-Haq, a Pakistani man recently returned from the United States, confessed to murdering his 15-year-old daughter, Hira Anwar, over her videos on TikTok. The incident, which occurred on January 30, 2025, has reignited awareness about the dark reality of honor killings within the Pakistani social framework.
Initially, ul-Haq claimed to authorities in Quetta, Balochistan, where the shooting took place,that unidentified gunmen were responsible. Yet, after investigators began digging, he admitted the truth behind his daughter’s death. According to local police chief Babar Baloch, the child was gunned down following objections from her father to the so-called "objectionable" content she posted online.
This shocking act of violence sheds light on the intersection of cultural expectations and modern technology. Hira was born and raised in the U.S., where her family had lived for 25 years before relocating back to Pakistan just weeks ago. Her posts on TikTok, which many teenagers use for self-expression, appeared to be the catalyst for her family's outrage. Notably, the father expressed displeasure with Hira's dressing, lifestyle, and social gatherings.
Police officials have indicated the disturbing possibility of this being classified as an honor killing, which is not uncommon in Pakistan, where hundreds of women fall victim to such gruesome acts each year. These killings typically occur to defend the supposed honor of families, often targeting women who defy traditional norms or engage with men outside of acceptable relationships.
Baloch noted, "So-called honor killings are common in Pakistan, where family members and relatives sometimes kill women who don't follow local traditions and culture or decide to marry someone of their own choice." This societal problem is evident as more than 1,000 women are killed annually due to perceived damage to family honor, as reported by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Hira’s situation is especially poignant as she was only 15, and her tragic death has raised questions about the societal values and control within families. It was reported by her father, ul-Haq, “I found my daughter's posts 'objectionable,'” reflecting the severe policing of female behavior prevalent among conservative circles.
Authorities arrested ul-Haq and his brother-in-law, Tayyab Ali, who may have conspired together to plan this grievous act against Hira. Both men are currently under police custody as the investigation deepens, with the court allowing them to remain detained for up to 10 days.
Legal consequences for perpetrators of honor killings have recently been toughened. Under changes to the law enacted in 2016, those convicted could face mandatory life sentences, compared to previous leniency, where murderers could evade punishment if the victim's family offered pardon.
The mental health impacts of honor violence transcend generations, with young people often caught between cultural legacies and modern societal mediums such as TikTok. This clash is vividly illustrated by the life and untimely death of Hira, who only wanted to document her experiences as part of the global social media phenomenon.
While TikTok has gained immense popularity, with over 54 million users in Pakistan, its role as both creative space and potential ground for cultural conflict is becoming increasingly apparent. The tragic case of Hira Anwar urges for educational initiatives and societal change to prevent such tragedies from happening by tackling the roots of honor killings.
Despite Pakistan’s laws against honor killings and rising awareness, the deep-seated misogyny and the pressures of maintaining family honor continue to endanger the lives of many women. This heartbreaking incident underlines the urgent need for societal reform and the protection of women's rights, leaving many to reflect on how culture can evolve, particularly to embrace the lives and identities of individuals like Hira, rather than extinguishing them.