Pakistani TikToker Sana Yousaf, who had lakhs of followers across social media, was tragically shot dead at her home in Islamabad on June 2. The “gruesome” and “cold-blooded” murder, driven by rejection and objection, took place just hours after she posted her 17th birthday celebration video. The murder, as per the police, was committed by a 22-year-old man, Umar Hayat, after repeated rejections from the young influencer.
Hayat, who also goes by the nickname “Kaka” and is a fellow TikToker from Faisalabad, was arrested after fleeing over 300 km from the crime scene.
Islamabad Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said Hayat had tried to meet Sana multiple times. He even reached the venue where she organised her birthday party on May 29 and waited for her for “seven to eight hours”. On the day of the murder, too, he tried meeting her, but when he failed, he forcefully entered her home in Upper Chitral and opened fire.
Who is Sana Yousaf?
Sana Yousaf, who recently turned 17, was a content creator who was a strong advocate of Chitrali traditions, women’s rights, and education. She was the daughter of a social activist and used social media to bring about awareness affecting her community, particularly women.
She used to live with her father and her mother. Her 15-year-old brother is currently visiting their hometown of Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, as per reports. Her Instagram page has over five lakh followers.
Sana Yousaf’s last social media post
Her last social media post, in which she is seen cutting her 17th birthday cake, is set to the tune of “Lutt Putt Gaya” from Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki. It also shows her meeting friends and eating food at a restaurant.
‘We failed you’: Women’s rights activists in Pakistan
Following her gruesome murder, numerous women’s rights activists have spoken out in condemnation, calling for a safer world for women and girls.
“The vile comments under news of Sana’s murder aren’t just hateful noise, they’re part of a mindset that normalises violence against women in Pakistan,” women’s rights activist Nighat Dad said.
Muniba Mazari, Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women Pakistan, wrote, “Another day, another precious life taken for simply saying No! We all failed to protect a 17-year-old vibrant girl who was creating joy for millions. Sana Yousaf, you deserved better. We failed you!”
“We demand justice for Sana, a 17-year-old girl and TikToker who tragically lost her life to patriarchal violence. This wasn’t a random hit, this was a planned attack where a minor girl’s privacy and home were invaded by a man who thought he would get away with it,” Aurat March Lahore wrote on social media.
It added, “We denounce the regressive, patriarchal mindset that uses violence to morally police women, for daring to take up space, whether online or offline. Let us remember Sana. Let us fight for a world where no girl is killed for existing and exercising her right to say no.”