Pakistan police arrest five over suspected 'honor' killing of TikTok creator

Pakistani police have arrested five people, including the father and brother of TikTok creator Shamsoo Bibi, in connection with her killing in the eastern city of Taxila.

A preliminary investigation indicated the shooting may have been an "honor-related" murder, police said.

Who was arrested over Shamsoo Bibi's murder?

Rawalpindi police arrested Bibi's father, Fazal Sahibzada, her brother Bashir, their cousin Ehsan, her father's uncle Rozi Khan and Ehsan's son Yasin.

Police said in a statement that Bibi, also known as Ayesha Gilamana, was killed after her father and brother arranged her murder along with accomplices, though they gave no further details of the alleged plot.

What happened to Shamsoo Bibi?

Bibi, also known as Ayesha Gilamana, was shot dead on 14 August after two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on the car in which she was travelling with her teenage sister and brother. This is according to the initial police complaint filed by her father. Her 15-year-old sister was seriously injured after the car crashed into another vehicle, while Bibi was struck in the neck and died at the scene.

How did the investigation lead to her family?

The arrests mark a shift in the case, which initially focused on two unidentified gunmen believed to have targeted Bibi while she was travelling. Police said investigators reviewed footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras and used intelligence from other sources before expanding their inquiry to include members of Bibi's family.

In the original complaint, Bibi's father told police that she had received threats from two men, identified as Kausar and Javed, also known as Shaheen, after demanding repayment of money. He had alleged that the two men could have arranged her killing through unidentified attackers, a claim that formed the basis of the initial investigation before it shifted toward her relatives.

What do police say about the motive?

Police have said their preliminary findings point to an "honour-related" motive, though they said further questioning of the suspects could provide additional information about the circumstances of the killing and the alleged roles of those arrested. The case has been registered under provisions of Pakistan's penal code covering murder, attempted murder, abetment and common intention.

Bibi's father told police that she had been making TikTok videos for three to four years and had built a following of about 1.3 million people. Her family deactivated her account following her death, and police said the five suspects will be prosecuted based on evidence collected during the investigation.