Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
A 17-year-old Pakistani TikTok star with a rising social media presence has been tragically murdered, with police saying she was targeted after rejecting a man’s repeated advances.
Sana Yousaf, who had built a fanbase of over half a million on Instagram and was quickly gaining popularity on TikTok, was shot and killed at her home in Islamabad on Monday. Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Umar Hayat in connection with her murder.
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According to police, Hayat confessed to the killing after his alleged attempts to befriend Yousaf were turned down. He had reportedly made several failed efforts to meet her in person before breaking into her home.
Officers say Hayat entered the property, fired two gunshots, stole Yousaf’s phone, and fled the scene. Her aunt, who was at the house at the time, told police she was also threatened by the suspect. Tragically, Sana died before she could be taken to hospital.
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Her father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, spoke to the BBC, revealing that Sana had never mentioned Hayat or any suspicious behaviour. He said: “She was my only daughter,” adding she was “very brave”.
The incident has shaken Pakistan, with police describing the crime as “brutal” and saying it triggered “a wave of concern” across the country. With “immense” pressure to bring the killer to justice, police combed through CCTV footage from over 100 cameras and carried out raids across both Islamabad and Punjab.
Authorities have now recovered the suspected murder weapon and Sana’s phone.
In the wake of her death, Sana’s social media accounts have been flooded with condolences. Her TikTok account has soared past one million followers, with many fans paying tribute to the influencer’s memory. Her final post below, a birthday video surrounded by balloons, has taken on a heart-breaking significance.
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The tragedy has sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of women online in Pakistan, particularly those in the public eye. While many have expressed grief and anger over her death, some online users have targeted Sana posthumously with criticism for her content and lifestyle.
Usama Khilji, director of digital rights advocacy group Bolo Bhi, told the BBC the backlash has come from “a small portion of mostly male internet users – some of whom have cited religious grounds”.
Khilji explained: “They're asking why she was putting up all this content, and even suggesting the family should take down her Instagram and TikTok accounts because they add to her 'sins'”.
Dr Farzana Bari, a prominent human rights activist, pushed back against the online vitriol, describing the reaction as “misogynistic” and “patriarchal”.
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Dr Bari said: “She had her own voice,” highlighting the risks female content creators face. Bari added: “Social media has become a very threatening place for female content creators” in Pakistan.
The Inspector General of Islamabad Police, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, also condemned the killing, stating: “Women who choose to become social media influencers deserve our encouragement and support.” He called Sana’s murder “tragic”.
The suspect, Umar Hayat, is reportedly the son of a former public servant from Faisalabad, Punjab. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.