Father-Daughter Trip to Pakistan: Was It a Dangerous Trap? Inside the Controversial Police Investigation

Hira Anwar was a typical 14-year-old girl, excited for school every day. She would hop out of her father’s car and head into Public School 16 in Yonkers, New York. Inside, she would chat with her principal and friends about music and the latest TikTok trends. Hira loved sharing songs from her favorite band, Chase Atlantic, and everyone knew she had a crush on Zayn Malik, a fellow Pakistani.

But things changed a few months ago. After her father dropped her off, Hira started taking off her hijab when she got away from his sight. Her principal noticed this change and worried that Hira was facing bullying. In a private conversation, Hira clarified that removing her hijab made her feel liberated, allowing her to express herself more freely.

However, this newfound freedom was short-lived. In late January, during a trip to her father’s hometown of Quetta in Pakistan, tragedy struck. Hira was shot in front of her father’s family home. Initially, her father, Anwar ul-Haq Rajpoot, expressed his grief to the police, claiming it was a random act of violence. But as the investigation unfolded, shocking revelations came to light.

The police reported that Mr. Rajpoot had orchestrated Hira’s murder. He confessed that he felt ashamed of her behavior, including her clothing and lifestyle choices. In his eyes, Hira’s actions brought dishonor to their family. This heartbreaking story highlights the severe consequences of strict cultural expectations and the tragic lengths to which some may go to enforce societal norms.

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Pakistan,Women and Girls,Muslim Americans,Muslim Veiling,Quetta (Pakistan),Yonkers (NY),Content Type: Personal Profile