1 dead, over 14 injured during stampede at TikToker's mehndi ceremony in Sialkot

Dawn · 31/10/2026، 5:14:39 PM

NAROWAL: A stampede at a mehndi (henna) ceremony and prize-distribution event for a TikTok influencer in Sialkot left one person dead and more than 14 others injured last night, officials said on Saturday. The mehndi ceremony and prize-distribution event for Muhammad Ansar Jatt, a popular TikToker from Sialkot district known as “Mr Pattlo”, was scheduled for Saturday night at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road. During the mehndi ceremony, motorcycles and a car were to be awarded to attendees through a lucky draw. Hundreds of followers from various cities across Punjab had gathered outside the ground well before the scheduled time to attend the event. As event organisers opened the stadium gates to allow the attendees in, a stampede ensued and many fell to the ground. Those caught in the pushing and shoving or trampled underfoot could be heard screaming and crying out. Attendees began moving those injured in the stampede to nearby clinics and private hospitals on their own initiative, while rescue teams also immediately arrived at the scene upon receiving reports. Police and Rescue 1122 personnel conducted a joint rescue operation and transported the injured to Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital. Most of the individuals were discharged after receiving first aid, while others remained under medical care. Among the injured, 30-year-old Muhammad Aqeel passed away while being transported to the hospital due to his critical condition. According to a rescue spokesperson, the other 14 injured persons comprised men aged between 22 and 51 years. They hailed from various districts, including Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Khanewal, Okara, Sialkot, Gujrat and Bahawalpur. However, Sialkot residents Muhammad Asif and Aamir Ali stated that more than 40 people were injured in the stampede, explaining that before the rescue teams arrived, attendees had taken several injured to nearby private hospitals and clinics for first aid on their own. Sialkot District Emergency Officer