In a chilling revelation, Islamabad-based social media influencer Samiya Hijab has publicly shared harrowing details of the abuse she endured at the hands of Hasan Zahid — a man she once trusted as a friend before their relationship spiralled into violence, coercion, and blackmail.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Hijab recounted how she first met Hasan six months ago. Their friendship soon turned into a relationship after he proposed with a gold ring. Although she had requested time before making any long-term commitment, she said Hasan and his family began pressuring her to marry.
The situation worsened following the tragic killing of her close friend and fellow influencer, Sana Yousaf. Samiya Hijab said the loss left her fearful and she tried to distance herself from Hasan. Instead of respecting her decision, Hasan responded with threats, once warning her mother that he would “break her legs” if a marriage did not take place.
Nonetheless, it is one-sided view of Samiya Hijab and Hasan Zahid is yet to highlight his ordeal as he is in police custody.
Episodes of Violence and Blackmail
Hijab, who has over 800,000 Instagram followers and more than 200,000 TikTok followers, described repeated instances of violence. She recalled being slapped relentlessly during a car journey from Lahore to Islamabad until her face became swollen. Hasan, she alleged, also attempted to abduct her outside her home, threatened to kill her, and warned that he would throw acid on her.
Early in their relationship, Hijab deleted personal material from Hasan’s phone fearing misuse, but alleged that he later leaked private content to blackmail her. Even after police arrested him this week — following her Instagram post about an attempted abduction — she claimed he returned armed, issuing fresh death threats.
“I Refused to Stay Silent”
Despite the risks, Hijab said she chose to speak out:
“Many girls in our country stay quiet out of fear. At the end of the day, they are the ones who get killed. I did not want to be among them.”
Expressing gratitude for Islamabad police protection, she urged the judiciary to hand down exemplary punishments: “If even one person had been given such a punishment before, these cases would not continue. Fear must sit in the hearts of men.”
Hijab also revealed her long-term ambition of founding an organisation to support women facing abuse, offering them a place to turn to before they become victims of domestic violence or so-called honour crimes.
Her testimony underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for women in Pakistan, as cases of harassment, blackmail, and gender-based violence continue to surface with alarming frequency.
