ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police have arrested a suspect who attempted to abduct influencer Samiya Hijab in the capital city. Islamabad-based social media influencer Samiya Hijab alleged that she narrowly escaped an abduction attempt outside her residence, a frightening ordeal that has drawn widespread attention and prompted immediate action by the Islamabad Capital Police. The suspect was arrested within 24 hours of the incident.
In a video posted on Instagram, Hijab accused a man identified as Hassan Zahid from Lahore of harassing her for months with repeated threats and pressuring her to marry him. According to her account, Zahid appeared outside her home, forcibly grabbed her phone, and attempted to drag her into his car.
“My mother was unwell, and my brother wasn’t home. When I stepped outside, he snatched my phone and forced me into his car,” she recounted, noting that she managed to record part of the incident on video.
Referring to the tragic case of teenage TikToker Sana, who was murdered earlier this year in Islamabad after rejecting a marriage proposal, Hijab said: “Before this, my friend Sana died for the same reason. I do not want to become Sana.”
The influencer, who enjoys a large following on TikTok, directly appealed to Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi for protection. She praised the Islamabad police for registering her complaint swiftly and responding effectively. In a follow-up video, she confirmed undergoing a medical examination, which verified signs of physical assault. She also revealed that officers had been deployed at her home after she received fresh death threats from the suspect.
“Check the audacity of this man — this morning he threatened again to kill me if I did not withdraw the FIR,” Hijab said.
Within 24 hours, Zahid was arrested by the police. Hijab expressed gratitude to the Inspector General and police officials Shafqat and Ishaq for their prompt action. “He thought he could abduct me, force me to marry him, and face no consequences. That animal was arrested within 24 hours,” she declared.
Calling for exemplary punishment, she urged the judiciary to ensure deterrence so that no girl suffers such harassment again. “Before anyone dares cast their eyes upon a sister or daughter, they should think 10,000 times,” she emphasized.
Hijab concluded by pledging to raise her voice not only for herself but also for all women who feel unsafe in society.
