Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old TikTok star and girls’ education advocate, was shot and killed earlier this week in Islamabad after reportedly rejecting a man’s repeated attempts at friendship, according to police. The brutal killing has ignited a national conversation in Pakistan about the safety of women online—and offline.
Who Was Sana Yousaf?
Known for celebrating traditional Chitrali music and style, Yousaf had recently celebrated her birthday, posting joyful photos with friends just hours before her death. She had built a loyal online following, with over 500,000 Instagram followers and now more than a million on TikTok after the tragedy.
Her videos were more than entertainment—they were cultural tributes and calls for girls’ education, a courageous stance in a country where women in the public eye often face backlash.
What Happened?
Police say 22-year-old Umar Hayat, a fellow TikTok creator from Faisalabad, broke into Yousaf’s family home and shot her twice after she rejected his advances. He allegedly threatened her aunt as well, stole Sana’s phone, and fled the scene.
Yousaf died before she could reach the hospital.
Authorities launched a massive manhunt across Islamabad and Punjab, using CCTV footage from over 100 locations. Hayat was arrested the next day. Police have recovered the murder weapon and Yousaf’s phone. He is due back in court on June 18.
Public Backlash and Misogyny
The murder has sparked widespread grief, but also disturbing online commentary criticizing Yousaf’s role as a female content creator. Some posts called for her family to take down her social media accounts, citing religious reasons.
Digital rights advocates and women’s groups are calling out the misogyny. Dr. Farzana Bari, a leading human rights activist, condemned the discourse as “patriarchal” and a threat to all women in Pakistan’s digital spaces. “Sana had her own voice,” she said. “She was brave.”
Police Speak Out
Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi publicly supported Yousaf and other women creators: “Women who choose to become social media influencers deserve our encouragement and support.”
Sana Yousaf’s story is a reminder of both the power and danger women face online—especially in countries where their visibility can still be met with violence.
