A wedding celebration in Daska, in Punjab's Sialkot district, turned to mourning when a stampede at a popular TikToker's mehndi ceremony killed two people and injured 17. The crush happened at Faraz Ground, where TikToker Ansar Jatt, known as "Mr Patlu", had announced a prize draw offering cars, motorcycles and cash to draw crowds to the event.
Police said a rush at the entrance gate set off the stampede, and several people fell and were trampled. Aqeel, from Budha Goraya, died at the scene. Rehan, from Glotian Kalan, was taken in critical condition to Mayo Hospital in Lahore, where he later died. Both were buried in their home villages.
Sialkot District Police Officer Captain (retd) Dost Muhammad went to the site, and police and Rescue 1122 moved the injured to hospital. Police registered a case at Motra police station under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. Nine people are named, including Ansar Mahmood alias Mr Patlu, the ground's owner and other organisers, along with 40 to 45 unidentified security guards.
Six suspects were arrested in overnight raids, while police are still searching for the main accused and the others. The district administration said the event had only been granted a no-objection certificate for a mehfil-e-samaa and qawwali night after Isha prayers.