The brutal murder of TikTok star Sana Yousaf has sent shockwaves across Pakistan, reigniting concerns about violence against women and raising urgent questions about safety, both online and offline.
Just a day after sharing a joyful video of her 17th birthday celebration, TikTok star Sana Yousaf was shot dead in Islamabad. Her smiling image beneath pink balloons and the serene Margalla Hills was quickly replaced by graphic images of her lifeless body, which went viral across social media platforms.
The accused, 22-year-old Umar Hayat from Faisalabad, allegedly killed Sana after she repeatedly ignored his attempts to contact her. Police have detained Hayat, but no legal representation for him has been publicly confirmed.
“My daughter was braver than my son. She didn’t fear anything,” said Syed Yousaf Hassan, Sana’s father.
Following her death, disturbing comments flooded Sana’s social media profiles. Many praised the act, with some writing:
- “Happy to see these things happening.”
- “My heart is happy today, I’m going to turn on music and dance with joy.”
Others linked her content to so-called “immorality,” blaming her for “seeking attention.”
The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) condemned this rhetoric: “This form of digital vigilantism contributes to a broader culture of victim-blaming, where abuse is normalised.”
These comments highlight how digital platforms are often weaponised against women, leading to real-life harm.
Outrage has spread among women’s rights groups across Pakistan. Campaigners argue that the murder of TikTok star Sana Yousaf is not just an isolated act of violence—it reflects a much deeper, systemic issue.
Similar incidents globally have shown the same pattern: women vocal online become targets. The murder of a Mexican influencer live on camera and the findings from an Australian study, where one in three men admitted to partner violence, only reinforce the global scale of the crisis.
Sana’s videos, which featured common teen content like fashion, car karaoke, and salon visits, were innocent. Yet they drew the ire of some online users who labelled her “provocative.”
Journalist Amber Rahim Shamsi, who has experienced digital harassment herself, said: “I became fearful when my stalker started to send me mugs and mounted photos to my office.”
She believes there’s a crisis of masculinity: “Social media has amplified women’s voices… That visibility unsettles men raised to expect control.”
According to DRF, over 20,000 cases of gender-based digital violence have been reported since 2017—a number that continues to rise.
Kanwal Ahmed, founder of Soul Sister Pakistan, a 300,000-member Facebook group, said her platform also faces regular backlash. “We have been called a man-hating, trauma-bonding club,” she said.
Ahmed recalled another case eerily similar to Sana’s—where a stalker turned up at a woman’s door after her number was leaked.
Natalia Tariq from the Association for Progressive Communications explained: “There’s a perception that violence online isn’t real, but threats can easily escalate to physical violence.”
While police action in Sana’s case was swift, critics argue the problem runs deeper. Usama Khilji of Bolo Bhi believes more needs to be done to educate men and penalise online abuse: “Hate speech against women is still not a priority.”
The murder of TikTok star Sana Yousaf occurred just weeks after Pakistan’s Supreme Court upheld the death penalty for Zahir Jaffer, who murdered Noor Mukadam. Both cases have reignited public debate on gender-based violence and state responsibility.
Sana’s father spoke of her dreams—she wanted to become a doctor—and her simple joys, like cake and family gatherings. “Every moment with her was unforgettable,” he said.
His words echo across a nation that continues to grapple with the consequences of unchecked misogyny, both online and off.
