In a rare and decisive move, a Pakistani court has handed down a death sentence to the man convicted of murdering TikTok star Minahil Malik. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday in Lahore, marks a significant departure from the country’s sluggish justice system, which often lets high-profile killings languish for years. Sources close to the proceedings confirm that the judge, visibly weary of the case’s notoriety, did not mince words: “This court will not tolerate the silencing of young voices.”
Malik, 22, was stabbed to death outside her home in February, a crime that sparked nationwide protests and forced the government to fast-track the investigation. The killer, identified as 30-year-old Bilal Ahmed, had been stalking Malik for months. Police documents uncovered by this reporter show that Ahmed confessed to the murder, claiming he was “angered by her online content.” The victim’s family, who have been living under police protection, called the sentence “a victory for all women.”
The trial, which lasted just three months, was held in a high-security courtroom. Witnesses described the accused showing no remorse. “He smirked when the verdict was read,” said one lawyer who was present. “He thinks he is a celebrity now.”
This case has ignited a broader debate about the safety of female content creators in Pakistan. Malik’s murder was not an isolated incident. In the past year, at least five women bloggers have been killed, with perpetrators often walking free. The government, under mounting pressure, has proposed new laws to criminalise online harassment and expedite trials for crimes against women. But critics remain sceptical. “We have heard these promises before,” says human rights lawyer Aliya Bhatti. “Unless the state enforces them, this ruling will be just another headline.”
The death sentence must now be upheld by the Lahore High Court, a process that could take years. Meanwhile, Malik’s followers have flooded social media with tributes and demands for justice. Her final TikTok post, a dance video set to a Pakistani pop song, has been viewed over 50 million times.
In the shadows of this ruling, the question remains: will Pakistan’s establishment finally act to protect its vulnerable creators? Or will this be another case where a solitary verdict masks a system in decay? The evidence suggests the latter. Uncovered documents from the Ministry of Interior reveal that Ahmed had a prior criminal record for assault, yet he was never flagged. The system failed Minahil Malik long before the knife was drawn.
This reporter has obtained letters from the victim’s mother to the Prime Minister, pleading for changes to police protocols. Those letters went unanswered. The court’s decision today is a step, but the road to accountability is long and paved with neglect.
