Islamabad: A 28-year-old Pakistani TikTok creator with more than 1.3 million followers was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle in Taxila near Islamabad on August 14, with her family alleging that she had received death threats over a financial dispute.
Shamso Bibi, known online as Ayesha Gilamana, was killed on Pakistan’s Independence Day. Her brother, Niamatullah, has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to intervene in the case.
Creator was allegedly called outside home
According to a complaint filed by Bibi’s father, Fazal Sahibzada, his daughter received a phone call from a man identified as Kashif, who asked her to come outside her home in Taxila.
Bibi subsequently left with her sister and brother in a car. As they approached a market, two men riding a motorcycle allegedly intercepted the vehicle and opened fire.
A bullet struck Bibi in the neck and she died from her injuries. Her sister was seriously injured after the car crashed into a dumper truck following the shooting.
A CCTV video circulating online reportedly shows two motorcycle-borne men stopping the vehicle before one allegedly fires a pistol at close range.
Four suspects arrested
Police have arrested at least four suspects, including two men accused of helping the alleged gunman escape, according to reports.
The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the possible motive behind the attack.
Bibi’s father alleged that his daughter had received threats from two men over demands for repayment of money. He said the family had reason to suspect that one of them could be connected to her killing.
Family deletes social media accounts
Bibi had reportedly been creating TikTok videos for around three to four years and had built a substantial online following. Her father said her account had more than one million followers and over 30 million likes.
The family has since deleted her TikTok account, while her YouTube page also appears to have disappeared.
The killing has renewed concerns over the safety of women who build large audiences on social media in Pakistan, where TikTok has a significant user base.