Teenager Rescued After Abduction
A 15-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted after befriending someone on TikTok has been rescued by Lahore police. According to officials, Mariam, who was reported missing from Lahore’s Qila Gujjar Singh area, was recovered from Defence Raya during a patrol by the Friendly Patrolling Unit (FPU).
Police say Mariam appeared distressed and abandoned when she was spotted. A female police officer from the FPU team took her into protective custody before contacting her parents.
TikTok Connection Raises Alarm
In her statement to the police, Mariam revealed that she had been abducted after developing an online friendship through TikTok. She narrated her ordeal while being transported from Defence Raya, prompting officers to register a formal case at the Qila Gujjar Singh police station.
The growing influence of TikTok in Pakistan has often drawn concern from parents, educators, and authorities. While the platform remains one of the most popular apps among teenagers, police have repeatedly warned that unsupervised use can expose minors to potential exploitation, cyberbullying, and criminal activity.
Police Response and Parental Contact
Once the FPU established Mariam’s identity, they immediately contacted her parents to inform them of her recovery. She was later transferred to Defence C police station for protective custody until her parents arrived, alongside officers from Qila Gujjar Singh station handling the abduction case.
A spokesperson for Dolphin Force, which oversees the FPU, confirmed that the girl was rescued safely and reassured that further investigations are underway.
Pattern of Social Media-Linked Incidents
This is not the first case of a minor being lured or exploited through social media platforms in Pakistan. In recent years, police have recorded several incidents where teenagers formed online friendships that later led to blackmail, harassment, or abduction.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan saw a rise in cybercrime complaints involving minors between 2020 and 2023. Many cases involved inappropriate contact or grooming attempts via apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Child protection groups have urged families to play an active role in monitoring social media use by minors. They argue that awareness campaigns and digital literacy training could help reduce the risks associated with online interactions.
Broader Context: Social Media and Safety in Pakistan
TikTok, with millions of users across Pakistan, has been at the center of controversy multiple times. The app was temporarily banned in the country on several occasions due to concerns about “immoral” or “indecent” content. Despite the bans being lifted, concerns about child safety, privacy, and online abuse remain pressing issues.
In Mariam’s case, police intervention through routine patrolling proved crucial. The Friendly Patrolling Unit, which was set up to enhance community safety in Lahore, has increasingly been involved in cases of missing persons, street crimes, and now cyber-related incidents involving vulnerable youth.
Looking Ahead
Authorities have confirmed that Mariam is safe and has been reunited with her family. However, the case underscores the growing dangers linked to unsupervised online activity among teenagers.
Police say they are continuing investigations into Mariam’s abduction and are working to trace those responsible. At the same time, they have urged parents to remain vigilant and to educate children about the risks of online friendships.
While this particular case ended with the safe recovery of the victim, it highlights a troubling intersection between social media and child safety in Pakistan—an issue gaining urgency as internet access expands rapidly across the country.
