In a tragic turn of events, 17-year-old Pakistani TikTok sensation Sana Yousaf was fatally shot in her Islamabad home on June 2, 2025. The alleged assailant, identified as her cousin Umar Hayat, was arrested within 24 hours of the incident. This case has ignited nationwide outrage and highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by young female influencers in Pakistan.
According to reports, on the evening of her 17th birthday, Yousaf was at her residence in Islamabad when Umar Hayat visited. Reports say Yousaf told him, “Go away from here. There are cameras all around. I will fetch you some water.”
Moments later, Hayat allegedly shot her twice in the chest at close range, killing her. Her body was transported to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a post-mortem examination.
“A gruesome and cold-blooded murder”
Referring to the case, Islamabad Police Chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said, “It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again. It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder.”
Hayat was apprehended in Faisalabad approximately 20 hours after the murder. He confessed to the crime, citing repeated rejections by Yousaf as his motive. Authorities recovered the murder weapon, the clothes worn during the incident, and the victim’s phone.
Yousaf’s untimely death has sparked widespread condemnation across Pakistan. Social media platforms have been inundated with tributes and demands for justice, with hashtags like #JusticeForSanaYousaf trending nationwide.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the swift action of law enforcement. Ume-Laila Azhar, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, emphasized the need for systemic changes to protect women in the country.
Born on June 2, 2007, Yousaf emerged as a prominent digital influencer in Pakistan. She amassed around 800,000 followers on TikTok and thousands more on Instagram, captivating audiences with content that celebrated regional culture, advocated for women’s rights, and promoted educational awareness among youth.
A concerning trend: violence against influencers
Yousaf’s murder is not an isolated incident. In January 2025, 15-year-old risks faced by young content creators worldwide.
Published: Jun 3, 2025 02:09 pm