The Islamabad District and Sessions Court has rejected the bail application of Hasan Zahid, the suspect accused in the high-profile case involving TikToker Samia Hijab. The decision has further intensified public attention on the controversial case, which involves allegations of abduction, harassment, and threats.
Court Proceedings and Remand
The case was heard by Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mahmood Chaudhry, where police presented Zahid and requested an eight-day physical remand in connection with the abduction FIR. The court, however, denied this request and instead sent the accused on judicial remand.
In a parallel case concerning threats and robbery, the court approved a two-day physical remand. Investigators were granted time to recover Zahid’s mobile phone, a V8 vehicle, and weapons allegedly linked to the crime. Authorities emphasized that Zahid’s cooperation was necessary to help identify other individuals involved.
Defense Arguments
Zahid’s defense lawyer claimed that the case was being misrepresented, arguing that Zahid and Samia were previously engaged and that the incident had been exaggerated. He further alleged that Zahid was at a rest house at the time of one of the reported incidents.
The police, however, countered with claims of substantial evidence against the suspect, stressing that custody was essential to complete the investigation effectively.
Background of the Controversy
The dispute between Samia Hijab and Hasan Zahid has been escalating for months. Earlier, Samia accused Zahid of stalking, harassment, and attempted abduction. CCTV footage allegedly captured him trying to force her into a car near her residence, which led to swift police intervention and multiple FIRs under serious charges.
Samia, already a target of online harassment after a fake AI-generated video surfaced earlier this year, said she has been pushed to the brink by repeated defamation and abuse. She revealed that she attempted suicide twice but continues to persevere for her mother’s sake.
Call for Stronger Protections
The case has drawn comparisons to the tragic killing of TikToker Sana Yousaf, who was murdered after rejecting a marriage proposal. Samia has called for greater legal protections for women, particularly those in the public eye who face cyber harassment, stalking, and physical threats.
The outcome of this case is expected to set a precedent for how Pakistan’s judicial system addresses harassment and abduction claims involving social media figures.
