ISLAMABAD – Pakistani TikTok personality Sumeera Rajput, who had gained over 58,000 followers and more than a million likes, has tragically been found dead in her home in Sindh’s Ghotki district.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, with two suspects currently in police custody.
According to Sumeera’s 15-year-old daughter, her mother was allegedly poisoned after rejecting a marriage proposal. The exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
This incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of female social media influencers in Pakistan. Just last month, another young TikTok creator, 17-year-old Sana Yousaf, was reportedly shot and killed in her home by 22-year-old Umar Hayat, who had allegedly become violent after she declined his romantic advances.
Sana, known for mixing cultural music and attire with advocacy for women’s rights and education, had built a large following. Her killing was strongly condemned by the National Commission on the Status of Women. Chairperson Ume Laila Azhar vowed justice, stating the case would not be dismissed under the guise of cultural shame or legal technicalities.
In Pakistan, where fewer than 25% of women participate in the workforce, platforms like TikTok have become an outlet for self-expression. Yet, cultural norms around marriage remain strict. Arranged marriages are widely accepted, and relationships outside family consent often meet resistance.
A recent Gallup Pakistan survey highlighted that younger adults—especially those under 30—are more inclined toward choosing their partners through “love marriages”. Still, it’s estimated that around 1,000 forced marriages occur annually across the country.
