Pakistani TikToker Sumeera Rajput found dead, daughter alleges murder over forced marriage pressure

Indian Express

26-07-2025

Pakistani TikTok influencer Sumeera Rajput was found dead under suspicious circumstances in her home in the Bago Wah area of Sindh's Ghotki district, in what is emerging as yet another case of violence against women content creators in the country.
According to Pakistani media house Geo News, the 15-year-old daughter of the deceased has alleged that her mother was murdered by individuals who had been coercing her into a forced marriage for a long time. She claimed Sumera was poisoned with tablets that ultimately led to her death.
While two suspects have been taken into custody, police are yet to file a First Information Report (FIR). Authorities say they are currently investigating whether foul play was involved.
The case has renewed concerns over the growing number of attacks targeting women influencers in Pakistan — a pattern of gendered violence that has persisted despite public outrage.
Sumera had over 58,000 followers and more than a million likes on TikTok. Her death comes just a month after another young TikToker, 17-year-old Sana Yousaf, was shot dead in Islamabad.
Sana, who had amassed over 500,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, was shot at her home by a man who had allegedly been harassing her for months. The accused, 22-year-old Umar Hayat, reportedly killed her after she rejected his repeated 'offers of friendship.'
The killing sparked a wave of outrage online, with hashtags like #JusticeForSanaYousaf trending on social media platforms such as X and Instagram.
Born on June 2, 2008, in Upper Chitral, Sana came from a family of activists and was celebrated for her bold content that blended Chitrali folk culture with advocacy for girls' education and women's rights. A first-year medical student, she was seen as a rising voice challenging conservative gender norms in Pakistan.
Sumera and Sana's deaths are the latest in a growing list of women influencers who have faced violence — often from within their own families or communities.
In January, a 15-year-old was allegedly murdered by her father and maternal uncle in Quetta for refusing to give up TikTok. Both men were arrested and confessed, ARY News reported.
The pattern is reminiscent of the 2016 murder of social media icon Qandeel Baloch, who was strangled by her brother in a so-called honour killing that drew global condemnation and ignited a national conversation about women's safety and freedom in Pakistan.