Social networking app TikTok has issued a statement over the viral video of model ‘Dolly’ posing in front of a forest fire on Margalla Hills, saying that the content promoting ‘dangerous and illegal’ behavior violated its community guidelines.
Model Humaira Asghar, known on TikTok as Dolly, made a TikTok video showing her posing and smiling on the Margalla Hills while a fire blazed on in the background. The video was captioned “Fire erupts wherever I am.”
Humaira, who has 11 million followers on TikTok, quickly found herself under fire too, when her video went viral on social media, with many people criticizing the model for her irresponsible actions.
While the video was taken down from TikTok within a few hours of uploading, it nevertheless caught the attention of environmental activists on social media.
Sharing the video, Chairperson Islamabad Wildlife Management Board Rina Saeed Khan Satti said that this new ‘disturbing and disastrous’ trend of setting fire to forests to increase their follower count, was very dangerous, especially during this hot and dry season.
This is a disturbing & disastrous trend on Tik Tok! Young people desperate 4 followers are setting fire to our forests during this hot & dry season! In Australia it is lifetime imprisonment for those who start wildfires. We need to introduce similar legislation @WildlifeBoard pic.twitter.com/RGMXnbG9f1
— Rina S Khan Satti (@rinasaeed) May 17, 2022
She further said that in Australia, there is a punishment of lifetime imprisonment for purposefully starting forest fires, adding that Pakistan needs to introduce similar legislation.
Humaira issued a video clarification saying that she hadn’t started the fire, it had already been lit and that there was “no harm in making videos.”
A TikTok spokesperson also issued a statement saying that the strict community guidelines of TikTok stipulate that any content promoting “dangerous and illegal” behavior will be taken down.
“We remain vigilant in our commitment to user safety and encourage everyone to exercise caution and responsibility in their behavior whether online or off,” the statement read.
On Tuesday, Rina informed that the application for the registration of an FIR has been filed against Humaira.
Update: Model “Dolly” who made the outrageous tik tok video of herself in the midst of a forest fire is in trouble! Application for registration of FIR filed with Kohsar PS today by CDA! Now looking for the other culprits in the second video! @CDAthecapital @WildlifeBoard pic.twitter.com/34Qkqm7pKc
— Rina S Khan Satti (@rinasaeed) May 17, 2022
The case has been submitted at the Kohsar police station by the Capital Development Authority.
