TikToker’s alleged role in PTI leader Abdullah Tahir’s murder emerges in police probe

LAHORE: A police investigation into the murder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Abdullah Tahir has revealed the alleged role of a TikToker who investigators said was used to honey-trap the victim’s driver and obtain information about his movements.

According to police investigators, the TikToker, identified as Laraib, a resident of Sialkot, had previously been married to the alleged mastermind of the “Shooters’ Gang” accused of carrying out Abdullah Tahir’s murder.

Police said Laraib separated from the gang leader through khula and later contracted a second marriage.

After separating from her second husband, she allegedly re-established contact with the gang leader.

According to the investigation, the gang leader initially assigned Laraib the task of honey-trapping Abdullah Tahir.

Laraib allegedly shared her photographs with the PTI leader in an attempt to establish contact with him, but Tahir did not respond, police said.

Investigators said that the task was subsequently changed and Laraib was instructed to honey-trap Tahir’s driver, Asghar.

According to police, Laraib established contact with Asghar through TikTok around two months before the murder and gradually developed a relationship with him.

Investigators claimed that through the relationship, she obtained information about Tahir’s daily routine, movements and security arrangements.

Police said that the information allegedly helped the shooters plan the attack.

According to investigators, the Tiktoker was on a video call with Asghar after Tahir arrived at a clinic where he was attacked.

Investigators suspect the call was used to confirm that Tahir was present at the location and that no security guard was accompanying him.

After receiving the information, gunmen allegedly waiting on Gurumangat Road reached the clinic and opened fire on Tahir, killing him on the spot.

Investigators also claimed that the killers used a drone camera and other technological means to monitor Tahir and assess his security arrangements before the attack.

Police further said that the ‘contract’ for Abdullah Tahir’s murder was finalised for more than Rs200 million.

The investigation into Laraib’s alleged links with the shooters and the planners of the attack is under way, while investigators are also examining digital evidence and phone records, police sources said.

The latest findings build on the earlier investigation, which had established that the victim’s driver was allegedly honey-trapped to obtain information about Tahir’s routine and movements.

Police are now investigating the alleged links between the TikToker, the shooters and those who planned and financed the attack.