Social media influencer Samiya Hijab narrowly escaped an abduction attempt outside her residence in the federal capital, prompting swift action by the Islamabad Police, who arrested the alleged perpetrator within 24 hours.
Harassment turns into attempted abduction
According to the FIR filed at Shalimar Police Station, Samiya accused a man, identified as Hassan Zahid from Lahore, of harassing and stalking her for months. She said Zahid repeatedly pressured her to marry him, sent unwanted gifts, and threatened her when she refused.
On Sunday evening, the situation escalated when Zahid allegedly appeared outside her house, snatched her mobile phone, and tried to force her into his car.
“My mother was ill, my brother wasn’t home. When I stepped outside, he grabbed my phone, sat in his car, and forced me in as well,” Samiya recounted in her video statement, adding that she managed to record part of the ordeal.
Police action and legal proceedings
The Islamabad Police confirmed Zahid’s arrest after Samiya’s complaint and video statement went viral. A case has been registered under Sections 354, 365, 392, 500, 509, and 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code — covering charges of harassment, attempted abduction, and assault.
Also Read: TikToker Samiya Hijab alleges kidnapping attempt
A police spokesperson said investigators are collecting further evidence, including CCTV footage, and assured that “strict legal action” would be taken to ensure the influencer’s safety. Officers have also been deployed outside her house after fresh threats from the suspect.
Victim’s response: 'I do not want to become another Sana'
Referring to the recent murder of teenage TikToker Sana Yousaf, who was killed earlier this year in Islamabad after rejecting a proposal, Samiya said she feared meeting the same fate.
“Before this, my friend Sana died for the same reason — because of rejecting [a proposal]. I do not want to become Sana,” she said.
She also revealed undergoing a medical examination, which confirmed signs of physical assault. Despite repeated threats to withdraw her complaint, Samiya vowed to continue fighting for justice.
View this post on Instagram
Call for exemplary punishment
Expressing gratitude to Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi and police officials for their swift action, Samiya said the arrest proved that criminals could not act with impunity.
“He thought he could abduct me, force me to marry him, and nothing would happen. That animal was arrested within 24 hours,” she said in her Instagram video.
View this post on Instagram
The influencer has urged the courts to hand down an exemplary punishment to deter future crimes against women, adding: “Before anyone dares cast their eyes upon a sister or daughter, they should think 10,000 times.”
