NAROWAL: A man died and at least 14 others were critically injured in a stampede at the mehndi ceremony of a TikToker, known as Mr Patlu, in Sialkot on Saturday.
The mehndi ceremony and prize-distribution event for Muhammad Ansar Jatt (Mr Patlu) was scheduled to take place at Faraz Stadium on Daska Road after Isha prayers on Saturday night.
During the ceremony, motorcycles and a car were to be awarded to the attendees through a lucky draw. A large number of followers of the TikToker from various cities had gathered outside Faraz Stadium well before the scheduled time. When the event organisers opened the gates, a stampede occurred as the people attempted to enter the stadium. A large number of people fell to the ground due to pushing and shoving and were trampled by others.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, rescue teams arrived at the scene and transported the injured to Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital. The attendees also began moving those injured in the stampede to nearby clinics and private hospitals on their own.
One of the injured, Muhammad Aqeel (30), son of Bashir Ahmed a resident of village Budha Goraya, passed away while being transported to hospital.
According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, the injured included Rehan Arshad (22), Muhammad Rafiq (42), Ali Zafar (30), Muhammad Azam (20), Yasir Ilyas (32), Munawar Ali (35), Arshad Latif (52), Abdul Rashid (30), Sarfraz (47), Muhammad Danish (26), Rehan Rafaqat (24), Zulfiqar Ali (45), and Ali (51) and Anwar. They belonged to various districts, including Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Khanewal, Okara, Sialkot, Gujrat, and Bahawalpur.
Local sources said more than 40 people were injured in the stampede.
District Emergency Officer Engineer Naveed Iqbal said four ambulances and one motorcycle ambulance participated in the rescue operation.
He said they had not been informed in advance about the large gathering. After the incident, Sialkot District Police Officer retired Capt Dost Muhammad arrived at the scene accompanied by a large police contingent.
Speaking to Dawn, he said the organisers had committed a violation by opening the stadium gates ahead of the scheduled time. He noted that granting permission for such an event fell under the purview of the district administration.
An attempt was made to contact the deputy commissioner to obtain his stance but no response was received.
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2026
