Kidnapping highlights growing friction between digital expression and tribal traditions in North Waziristan
Zafran Wazir after his recovery from TTP captivity. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
A school teacher in North Waziristan has been safely recovered after being kidnapped by gunmen, days after he shared a viral video of a girl playing cricket that sparked admiration and controversy.
Zafran Wazir, a teacher at a private school and university in the Shawa area, is known for encouraging his students, community members and social activists. He recorded and shared a video of Aina Wazir, a young orphan, playing cricket with children in a community described as “swimming against all odds.”
North Waziristan’s young bowling sensation Aina Wazir has taken social media by storm and has earned a place in the upcoming Zalmi Women’s League after catching the eye of Javed Afridi. Peshawar owner Zalmi has promised full support and professional team to nurture this raw talent,… pic.twitter.com/6dN0XOEFId
— Express News (@ExpressNewsPK) February 19, 2026
The short clip quickly gained traction on major social media platforms. It showed the youngster confidently bowling fast-paced balls during a local cricket game, prompting widespread praise online for her talent and spirit.
Aina Wazir took social media by storm and earned a place in the upcoming Zalmi Women’s League after catching the attention of Javed Afridi. Peshawar owner Zalmi promised full support and professional team to nurture what he described as raw talent.
However, Aina Wazir’s videos also provoked negative reactions among some colleagues and fueled controversy over the role of women in society. As Afridi announced plans to bring her on board, a local commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) reportedly called the development a threat to prevailing tribal traditions, setting off a chain of events that sparked debates across the region.
Shortly after a second video of Aina Wazir went viral, Zafran Wazir was kidnapped. District police confirmed that he had been taken away by armed men.
Read: Gunmen hijack DC vehicle in Kharan
According to local police, “Zafran Wazir was kidnapped from the Shewa area of North Waziristan and allegedly subjected to torture. During his captivity, a video surfaced on social media in which he described sharing the video as a ‘mistake’ and claimed that he was in the custody of unidentified people.”
The kidnappers reportedly claimed that filming and sharing the video of the young girl was against Islamic values and Pashtun cultural traditions.
The incident sparked anxiety among residents, many of whom expressed concern about growing tensions around social media use and community sensitivities.
Read more: APS orders answers on “disappearances” in Peshawar and Mardan
Following the efforts of a local jirga and religious scholars, authorities later confirmed that Zafran had recovered safely and been reunited with his family.
District police officer Sajjad Hussain said the youth had returned home unharmed. Residents welcomed him warmly and placed garlands around his neck as a sign of solidarity. Videos of their reception circulated widely online.
The episode has reignited wider questions within the community: can a young woman pursue her interest in cricket without sparking controversy? Does recording and sharing these moments violate religious or cultural norms? And how should social media be navigated in conservative environments?
Aina Wazir’s bowling story has gone from being a symbol of youthful passion to becoming a flashpoint in a broader conversation about tradition, modernity, and the changing role of digital media in tribal society.
