LAHORE MIROR – Pakistani TikToker Anser Mahmood, popularly known as Mr Patlu, has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir not to hold him responsible for a deadly stampede at his wedding mehndi ceremony in Sialkot, as police pursue him and other suspects in connection with the incident.
In a video statement shared on social media, Mr Patlu expressed sorrow over the deaths but denied any involvement in the tragedy, claiming he was not present at Faraz Sports Stadium when the stampede occurred on Saturday.
“I request Maryam Nawaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir not to put the blame for this accident on me. I have done nothing wrong. I was not even there,” he said.
He added that he would appear before police once his health improved, claiming he had injured his back while playing cricket and was unable to walk.
ٹک ٹاکر مسٹر پتلو کا کہنا ہے کہ بڑے بڑے لوگ پہلے اس کے پاس آتے تھے،اس کو استعمال کرتے رہے، کام لیتے رہے، لیکن سیالکوٹ حادثے کے بعد سب نے اسے تنہا چھوڑ دیا۔
اس کا کہنا ہے کہ پولیس نے سارا ملبہ اس پر اور اس کے بھائیوں پر ڈال دیا ہے، اب اس کا دل کرتا ہے کہ وہ خودکشی کر لے
#Patlo https://t.co/lPYZy6ctA2— Fasih Ullah (@fasih59) November 2, 2026
The incident occurred during celebrations for Mr Patlu’s wedding in Sialkot, where thousands of people reportedly gathered after social media promotions promised cash prizes, motorcycles, a car, mobile phones and other expensive gifts.
According to the police, an FIR has been registered against nine named suspects, including Mr Patlu, and 45 unidentified individuals. Six people have been arrested, while several others, including the TikToker, remain at large.
The case includes charges relating to causing death through negligence, violating official orders, vandalism, incitement and unlawful assembly.
How the stampede unfolded
According to the FIR, Mr Patlu’s mehndi ceremony was being held at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road on Saturday evening.
Police said organisers had used social media to invite the public by advertising prizes worth millions of rupees, including Rs20 million in cash, a car and 50 motorcycles.
People travelled to the venue from Sialkot and neighboring districts, including Gujranwala, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Mandi Bahauddin and Narowal.
The FIR alleges that Mr Patlu appeared on stage and announced that everyone should immediately enter the ground. The sudden rush towards the entrance triggered a stampede, killing a man identified as Aqeel at the scene.
Another injured man, identified as Rehan, was shifted to Lahore for treatment but died on Sunday after succumbing to his injuries.
Rescue 1122 and other emergency teams reached the scene and transported the injured to hospitals.
Eyewitnesses told media persons that confusion over the distribution of prizes and inadequate crowd management contributed to the tragedy.
Government questions TikToker’s influence
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif criticized Mr Patlu in a statement posted on X on Sunday night, accusing him of using his influence to evade accountability.
Asif alleged that the event had been organised as a publicity and money-making exercise, with prizes serving as an investment to attract a large audience and generate social media revenue.
He said the gathering had turned the poverty of local residents into entertainment and resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to dozens.
The minister also raised questions about the regulation and taxation of high-earning social media personalities, arguing that uncontrolled social media influence could become dangerous for society and the state.
Administration says event permission was cancelled
The district administration said it had initially issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a private function at Faraz Sports Stadium.
However, the permission was cancelled before the event began because organisers allegedly violated its conditions.
According to the administration’s spokesperson, the NOC had allowed a private gathering and musical program after Isha prayers. Officials received reports of violations around 4pm, prompting the deputy commissioner to withdraw the permission.
Police investigations have also indicated that organizers failed to comply with safety requirements and crowd-management arrangements.
The gathering reportedly disrupted traffic on the main Daska-Sialkot Road, while disturbances and damage to public property were also reported.
Mr Patlu’s team responds
Following the tragedy, Mr Patlu’s social media team said the TikToker had intended to share his wedding celebrations with fans and guests by distributing gifts.
The team acknowledged that crowd management had gone beyond the organizers’ control, attributing the incident to the early opening of stadium gates and insufficient security arrangements.
Mr Patlu had also shared a separate video asking people to return home, announcing that his wedding events had been postponed.
The police have continued efforts to arrest the remaining suspects as investigations into the deadly stampede proceed.
