Meet Kanwal Aftab, the latest Pakistani influencer to be caught in the viral MMS leak spree after Imsha Rehman and Mathira Khan

Pakistani social media influencers continue to find themselves at the center of a growing digital exploitation crisis; explicit content is leaked and goes viral on the internet. The latest person to get involved in this disturbing trend is Kanwal Aftab, a popular TikTok personality and social media influencer. A video reportedly showing Aftab in a compromising situation surfaced online, sparking widespread debate about digital privacy and online harassment.

Who is Kanwal Aftab?

26-year-old Kanwal Aftab is a well-known name in Pakistan’s social media scene. Lahore-based Aftab has gained immense popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where she shares lifestyle content with her husband Zulqarnain Sikandar and their younger daughter Aizal Zulqarnain. With over four million followers on Instagram, Aftab has established himself as a leading influencer in Pakistan’s digital space.

Aftab’s content often includes family moments, fashion inspirations and snippets from her daily life, making her relatable to a wide audience. But her healthy online presence was recently overshadowed by the viral leak of an allegedly private video. The authenticity of the images remains unclear, but the incident has raised significant concerns about the privacy of individuals on social media and the ethical implications of such leaks.

Digital Privacy Crisis

Kanwal Aftab’s leak is part of a larger pattern of similar incidents involving Pakistani influencers. The viral spread of sexually explicit content sparked outrage and highlighted the lack of digital security for individuals in the public eye.

This incident comes on the heels of similar violations involving other celebrities, including TV presenter Mathira Khan. Khan recently became the target of online trolls after a private video purportedly of him was posted online. The presenter vehemently denied the authenticity of the video and condemned the misuse of his name and images. He called for stronger action against perpetrators of online harassment, using social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns.

Another influencer, Pakistani TikToker Imsha Rehman, also faced a similar fate as her explicit videos were shared without her consent. The online trolling he was subjected to led Rehman to deactivate his social media accounts to protect himself from further harassment, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll such incidents can take on influencers.