Only a year ago, TikTok was under fire in Pakistan due to the type of the content available on the app. However, until a recent incident resurfaced, 2022 appeared to be going well for the social media app. TikToker has been lighting fire to Margalla Hills for its films this time.
And, according to reports, this isn’t an isolated instance. Dolly, a TikTok user who posted a video of herself posing in front of a fire, has drawn particular attention.
Humaira Asghar, popularly known as Dolly, a TikTok verified account with over 11 million followers, allegedly lit Margalla Hills on fire for one of her videos. Rina S. Khan Satti, the Chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, took to Twitter shortly after to declare, “This is a disturbing & disastrous trend on Tik Tok!” During this hot and dry season, young people anxious (for) 4 followers are setting fire to our woodlands! Those who cause wildfires in Australia are sentenced to life in jail. We need to pass legislation comparable to this.”
Under the Environment Protection Act 1997 and the Life Protection Preservation Conservation and Management Ordinance 1979, a FIR has been filed against Dolly.
While Dolly claims she did not cause the fire and was simply filming in front of it, recordings of other people setting fire to the bushes have surfaced. Another man was caught in Abbottabad earlier this month for igniting a forest fire for a film. He was eventually apprehended.
“Any content that promotes harmful or unlawful behavior would be a violation of our community guidelines and is not allowed on our platform,” TikTok said in a statement in response to the issue.