SIALKOT (Kashmir English): TikToker Ansar Mahmood, popularly known as Mr Patlo, has issued his first detailed video statement following the deadly stampede at his wedding ceremony in Daska, Sialkot, denying responsibility for the incident and calling for an impartial investigation.
His message came two days after a stampede at Patlo’s wedding ceremony left two dead and around 18 people injured, while police have registered a case against nine suspects, including Patlo.
According to the police, six people have been arrested so far, but the TikToker has yet to be apprehended.
In the video, Mr Patlo said he was receiving treatment at a hospital when the stampede occurred and was unable to walk due to severe back pain. He appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir to review all available evidence before holding anyone responsible.
Expressing condolences to the families of those killed and sympathy for the injured, he said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy.
Mr Patlu said his wedding ceremonies, including mehendi, baraat and walima, were scheduled for November 5, 6 and 7. He claimed the public event was organised to share his happiness with people and support deserving families through ration distribution, gifts and arrangements for the marriages of underprivileged girls.
He further claimed that he had released a video 10 to 15 days before the event, urging attendees to maintain discipline, avoid pushing and follow queues. He also said the event had been granted a no-objection certificate (NOC).
The TikToker said he had remained away from public view for the past two days and was struggling to deal with the situation. He also spoke about his father’s poor health and said some people close to him had distanced themselves during this difficult time.
Towards the end of the video, Mr Patlu expressed severe emotional distress and made statements suggesting suicidal thoughts, saying he no longer felt the desire to live and describing the message as potentially his last.
