Pakistani TikTok influencer Ayesha Gilamna shot dead in Punjab amid surge in violence against female content creators

A 26-year-old Pakistani social media influencer, known online as Ayesha Gilamna, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Punjab province. Authorities suspect the motive behind the killing of the TikTok personality, whose legal name was Shamsul Bibi, is rooted in a financial dispute.

According to reports, the incident occurred as the victim was waiting in her vehicle at a local market. Security footage circulating online shows two individuals arriving on a motorcycle, approaching the car, and firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene. The victim, who commanded a following of over 1.3 million on TikTok, had her account deactivated following her death.

The victim’s brother, Niamatullah, has publicly called for the intervention of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, citing frustration over the police’s failure to apprehend the perpetrators. This fatal attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting young female content creators in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region.

The murder has reignited a national debate regarding the safety of women in Pakistan and the societal treatment of female public figures. Independent journalist Ammara Ahmed criticized the insensitive reporting and pervasive misogynistic discourse surrounding the tragedy. Specifically, Ahmed condemned a social media post that mocked the low attendance at the victim’s funeral, arguing that such reactions demonstrate a lack of basic dignity afforded to women in the country even after death.

The killing highlights the ongoing risks faced by digital creators in the region and has sparked widespread outrage across social media platforms. Investigations into the shooting remain ongoing as authorities work to identify the suspects involved in the attack.