Pakistan Court Sentences Four to Death Under Blasphemy Law

In a tragic incident in Quetta, Pakistan, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly shot and killed by her father due to her presence on the social media platform TikTok. According to a police spokesperson, the father found the contents of her videos to be "indecent." Following the act, law enforcement has confirmed the suspect's arrest and is searching for a relative who may have been involved. The family had recently returned to Pakistan after living in the United States, where the victim was born. Tensions had reportedly arisen within the family prior to the murder, stemming from the teenager's online activities. Violence in the name of "honor" is a prevalent issue in Pakistan, a patriarchal society with over 240 million inhabitants. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimates that around 1,000 such cases occur annually, often with perpetrators escaping justice. This incident echoes the 2016 case of Qandeel Baloch, an influencer murdered by her brother for advocating women's rights and criticizing female oppression. Following Baloch's death, the government increased penalties for honor-related killings.

A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker explosion in Multan’s Hamid Pur Kanora area of Punjab, Pakistan, has resulted in at least six fatalities and injured 31 others, including 13 in critical condition, according to local rescue authorities. The incident occurred on January 27, 2025, at an illegal LPG refilling warehouse, where gas leakage was reported before the explosion. The explosion triggered a massive fire that led to the destruction of approximately 20 houses and significant damage to another 70 nearby, as reported by Geo News. Among the deceased are a minor girl and two women. Rescue operations were complicated by persistent gas leaks, prompting officials to evacuate the area and declare a local emergency. District Emergency Officer stated that emergency services were mobilized extensively, utilizing over ten firefighting units to contain the blaze. Multan-Muzaffargarh Road has since reopened, although power and gas supplies in the area remain suspended as a precaution. Authorities are continuing search operations to ensure safety and assess further damage.

A devastating explosion involving a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker occurred in the Hamid Pur Kanora area of Multan’s Industrial Estate, Pakistan, on January 27, 2025. The blast resulted in the death of at least six individuals, including a minor girl and two women, while 31 others sustained injuries, with 13 reported to be in critical condition. The explosion not only caused fatalities but also triggered a massive fire, damaging approximately 20 houses beyond repair and partially affecting around 70 others. Significant debris from the tanker landed in nearby residential areas, exacerbating the destruction. Local authorities revealed that gas was reportedly leaking from a valve of the tanker prior to the explosion. Some residents had started to evacuate upon detecting the gas odor. The City Police Officer, Sadiq Ali, indicated that an illegal LPG refilling operation was taking place at the site, which contributed to the disaster. The subsequent firefighting efforts involved over ten vehicles and foam-based suppression methods. An emergency has been declared at Nishtar Hospital to accommodate the injured, and electricity and gas supply to the area have been suspended as a safety precaution. Local residents are advised to maintain distance from the explosion site due to lingering gas fumes. Emergency response teams are continuing search operations in nearby areas to ensure community safety.