Mardan Police Arrest Four in Viral Video Harassment Case

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Mardan police arrested four suspects in a harassment case involving a teenage girl, following a viral TikTok video that sparked public outrage and prompted swift action.

On August 4, 2025, police in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, arrested four individuals accused of harassing a teenage girl at a private event, an incident captured in a viral TikTok video. The arrests were ordered by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur after journalists, including Asad Ali Toor, brought the issue to his attention, according to Dawn. Mardan police spokesperson Muhammad Faheem Khan stated that the video showed men physically harassing the victim, who was allegedly sent to private gatherings by her relatives for dancing, a practice that has drawn sharp criticism from local authorities.

The incident, which occurred in Mardan’s jurisdiction, prompted immediate action from the District Police Officer (DPO) Zahoor Babar Afridi, who formed a special team to investigate. The police identified and apprehended the suspects within hours, registering a case under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), as confirmed by a statement from the Mardan police department. Khan emphasized that the suspects’ actions were unacceptable and that further investigations are underway to ensure all involved are held accountable, per The Express Tribune.

The viral video, which spread rapidly across social media, ignited public outrage, with citizens demanding justice for the victim. Chief Minister Gandapur, addressing the issue, underscored the KP government’s commitment to protecting women and cracking down on such crimes, stating that “no one will be allowed to exploit vulnerable individuals,” as reported by Pakistan Today. The arrests reflect heightened efforts by the KP police to address gender-based violence, following a 2024 report by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) noting over 32,000 such cases nationwide, per Al Jazeera.

Local community leaders in Mardan have called for stricter enforcement of laws to prevent exploitation, with some pointing to systemic issues in rural areas where young women are coerced into such events. The police have vowed to pursue any additional suspects and ensure the victim receives justice, with the case now under close scrutiny by both authorities and the public.