Police in Gujranwala district of Pakistan’s Punjab province have arrested an 18-year-old woman after her 15-year-old sister, Zubia Manahil, died during a dispute at their home. The case was registered by their father, Abdul Shakoor Khan, who handed the accused to police and said he would not defend her in court.
The incident falls under the jurisdiction of Ladhewala Waraich police. Station House Officer Mohammad Afzal told BBC Urdu that investigators recovered the weapon allegedly used in the killing and recorded the arrested woman’s initial statement.
What the complaint says
According to the first information report, guests were visiting the family and relatives were sitting in the courtyard when they heard noise from the roof. The family then found the sisters arguing. The complaint describes the dispute as involving a money transaction.
The FIR alleges that the elder sister took a knife from the kitchen and struck Zubia in the waist. She suffered serious injuries and lost a large amount of blood. Family members tried to provide initial medical assistance, but she died.
The father’s complaint identifies him as the parent of both the accused and the deceased. It also says he works as a driver and has 6 daughters and one son.
Police account links dispute to TikTok
A preliminary police report sent by Mohammad Afzal to senior officers presents a different emphasis on the alleged reason for the confrontation. It says both sisters made videos for TikTok and that their social-media activity was connected to the fatal dispute.
In the initial statement cited by the police officer, the accused allegedly said her younger sister had more followers while she had fewer. She reportedly accused Zubia of taking away her followers, after which the argument escalated.
The report refers to the deceased as Zubia Manahil, also known as Ayesha. The family complaint and the preliminary police account therefore describe the immediate dispute differently: one refers to money, while the other connects it to followers and social-media activity.
Family’s account of their online work
A relative, Ghulam Rasool, said the sisters had started making TikTok videos to become financially independent. He described them as obedient and said they often produced food-vlogging content while remaining active on different social-media accounts.
The wider role of social media in young people’s income plans was explained by digital-media researcher Arham Shafi. He said a new generation had learned to seek earnings through TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, encouraging young users to pursue followers and views.
Shafi said TikTok directly pays eligible accounts under its monetisation programme. He said monetised accounts can receive 40 cents to $1 for 1,000 views, meaning 10 lakh views may generate $400 to $1,000. Those figures were given as an explanation of the platform’s potential earning model, not as an amount linked specifically to the sisters.
Father says he wants punishment
Abdul Shakoor said he wanted his elder daughter to be punished. He told BBC Urdu that he personally took her to police and would not pursue the case on her behalf.
He said the incident had destroyed his family and that he no longer had a relationship with the accused.
Legal representation remains available
Criminal-law expert Sheikh Usman said Pakistan’s legal system does not remove an accused person’s access to legal representation simply because relatives or a private lawyer are unavailable. He said constitutional and legal protections allow an accused person to defend herself through a lawyer.
Usman added that a court can arrange a government lawyer when an accused person is in custody, lacks family support or has no private counsel. He also referred to the Free Legal Aid Committee in Punjab, which includes lawyers from the Punjab Bar Council and district bar associations.
According to his explanation, a prisoner needing assistance can apply through the relevant prison superintendent, who forwards the request to a lawyer. The legal process concerning the arrested woman will therefore continue with representation available through private or state-supported channels.
Conclusion
The Gujranwala case has led to an arrest after a dispute involving sisters who made social-media videos. Police have recovered an alleged weapon, while the complaint and preliminary police account give different descriptions of what triggered the confrontation. The accused remains entitled to legal representation as the case proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happened in the Gujranwala case?
An 18-year-old woman was arrested after her 15-year-old sister, Zubia Manahil, died from a knife wound during a dispute at their home.
Q. Who filed the case?
The case was filed on a complaint by the sisters’ father, Abdul Shakoor Khan.
Q. What was the alleged reason for the dispute?
The family complaint refers to an argument involving money. A preliminary police report links the conflict to TikTok followers and social-media activity.
Q. Was the alleged weapon recovered?
Police officer Mohammad Afzal said investigators recovered the weapon allegedly used in the killing.
Q. Can the accused receive a lawyer?
Yes. Sheikh Usman said an accused person can receive legal representation, including a government-appointed lawyer when private counsel is unavailable.
Q. What kind of videos did the sisters make?
Their relative Ghulam Rasool said they often made food-vlogging videos and used different social-media accounts.
Q. How does TikTok monetisation relate to the case?
Digital-media researcher Arham Shafi said eligible TikTok accounts can earn money based on views, which may encourage users to seek more followers and engagement.
