Killing of Sana Yousaf
Sana Yousaf | |
|---|---|
| ثنا یوسف | |
| Born | 29 May 2008 Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan |
| Died | 2 June 2025 (aged 17) G-13/1, Islamabad |
| Cause of death | Gunshot |
| Resting place | Chuinj, Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Known for | Social media influencer |
| Father | Syed Yousaf Hasan |
Sana Yousaf (Urdu: ثنا یوسف; 29 May 2008 – 2 June 2025) was a Pakistani social media personality, known for her content on Instagram. By mid-2025, she had a half-million followers and had become especially popular among Pakistani youth.[1]
Sana Yousaf used her social media presence to promote Chitrali culture and advocate for girls' education, often posting content that highlighted traditional clothing and the importance of female empowerment.[2][3] According to her father, Syed Yousaf Hasan (who is a social worker hailing from Upper Chitral), she aspired to pursue a career in medicine with the aim of serving the people of Pakistan.[4]
On 2 June 2025, she was fatally shot at her home in Sector G-13/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. At the time of her death, she was a second-year student who had just turned 17. The case received nationwide media attention and sparked widespread outrage on social media platforms.[1]
Death
| Date | June 2, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | G-13/1 sector, Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Target | Sana Yousaf |
| Perpetrator | Umar Hayat |
On 2 June 2025, a 22-year-old man named Umar Hayat reportedly entered Yousaf's residence in the G-13/1 sector of Islamabad, armed with a pistol, and after a confrontation, fatally shot her in the chest and stomach. Hayat also threatened to shoot Sana Yousaf's paternal aunt before fleeing the scene after shooting Sana.[5]
After being shot and as Hayat fled the scene, Yousaf lay in pain for nearly an hour before neighbors helped place her into a car, where she succumbed to her injuries. Her body was taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences where an autopsy was carried out. She was buried in her village, Chuinj in Upper Chitral.
Hayat was arrested in Faisalabad shortly after the incident. During interrogation, he confessed to murdering Sana. Authorities said his motive for the killing was that she had rejected his "offers of friendship" and his attempts to meet her, but her family said she had never mentioned him or talked about noticing any threatening behaviour.[1] Hayat was transferred to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand to facilitate an identification parade. The court directed that the identification process be completed and a report submitted by 18 June 2025.[6][7] On 13 June 2025, Sana Yousaf’s mother and aunt identified Hayat during an identification parade conducted at Adiala Jail.[8]
On July 8, 2025, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights took up the murder case of Sana Yousaf and the Swat incident. The session was also attended by Sana Yousaf’s parents, who had been specially invited, as well as Senator Falak Naz.[9]
Reaction
The killing of Sana Yousaf sparked widespread outrage across Pakistan and attracted international media coverage. On social media, users expressed grief, anger, and called for justice, while the incident reignited discussions about violence against women and the safety of public figures in digital spaces.[10]
On 5 June 2025, Aurat March Islamabad organised a protest outside the National Press Club to demand justice for Yousaf. The demonstration attracted a diverse group of participants, including students, working women, domestic workers, and other concerned citizens. Protesters carried banners with slogans such as "Saying No is My Right" and "Those who kill in the name of honour are the greatest dishonourable", emphasizing women's rights and condemning gender-based violence. The protest called for the government, police, and judiciary to take immediate and strict action against the accused and to implement measures to protect women and deter similar crimes in the future.[11][12][13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Azadeh Moshiri; Usman Zahid (4 June 2025). "Teen TikTok star shot dead after man broke into her home, police say". BBC News. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Blaming her". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Manaksha Memon (4 June 2025). "Sana Yousaf case: Toxic masculinity or media influence at play?". ARY News.
- ^ "'A flower snatched from us': Family demands justice for murdered TikTok influencer". Arab News. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
The father of a teenage Pakistani TikTok influencer shot dead this week in Islamabad said on Wednesday he had wanted her to join the bureaucracy, but she had set her sights on the medical field to serve the people of Pakistan.
- ^ "Sana Yousaf: TikTok star shot dead after rejecting man, police say". www.bbc.com. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "TikToker Sana Yousaf murder case: Suspect arrested". The Express Tribune. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Sana's 'killer' sent to jail". The Express Tribune. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ khan (13 June 2025). "Sana's mother, aunt identify her killer in jail". Chitral Today. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Senate Committee takes up Swat incident and Sana Yousaf Case amid growing human rights concerns". Daily Parliament Times. 8 July 2025.
- ^ Abubakar Siddique (6 June 2025). "Teenage TikTok Star's Killing Sparks Outrage Over Violence Against Women In Pakistan". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Justice for Sana yousaf: Islamabad's aurat march demands strong action against killer". Daily Times. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Aurat March Islamabad stages protest against murder of TikToker Sana Yousuf". GNN. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Mahira Khan, Saba Qamar, other stars call for justice for Sana Yousaf in a 'world that keeps failing girls'". Dawn Images. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.