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Sana Yousaf, 17, a popular TikToker, was shot dead at her home in Islamabad’s G-13 sector, two days after her birthday. Her murder, apparently over rejection of unwelcome advances, shook the capital and drew widespread condemnation.
The Islamabad police, who have arrested the alleged killer, have said this appeared to be a case of ‘repeated rejection,’ meaning that she was killed after she said no to the culprit.
“This is a cold blooded murder and a case of repeated rejection,” Islamabad Police chief Ali Nasir Rizvi told media persons. He said given the heinous nature of the crime there was no room for leniency.
Umar Hayat, the detained suspect, too, is a TikToker. Police say he had been in contact with the deceased.
Close circuit television footage showing a man approaching the house before the murder and hurriedly leaving the house after it is available. “He shot two bullets, hitting her the chest,” police have said.
The deceased was well-known for her social media presence, with around 800,000 followers on her TikTok account and nearly 500,000 on her Instagram account.
Umar Hayat, 22, has been arrested from Faisalabad. Police say he had been following the social media accounts of the deceased. Police also say he had wanted to establish contact with the social media influencer and become ‘friends’ with her.
Originally from Chitral, Sana was a pre-medical student. She had been living in the capital city with her relatives. She was known for her social media presence and slice of life content. Besides other topics, she often posted about food and places to visit. Some of the content sought to promote peace, harmony, hope and courage.
Some social media users have likened the murder an honour killing. Some have suggested that girls should not be on social media.
Originally from Chitral, Sana a pre-medical student, had been living in the capital city with her relatives. She was known for her youthful and vibrant social media presence and slice of life content. Besides other topics, she often posted about food and places to visit.
Commenting on the murder, Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat, a senior bureaucrat, said, “The mindset that seeks to control and silence women is responsible for this crime. The same mindset allows child marriage, denies girls education and treats women as inferior humans. It must be condemned and it must be fought.”
“This is endemic. A policy intervention is needed urgently to reform this mentality. It's shocking to read comments by some boys on the murder. Are the teachers in their schools responsible for this? Have their parents been responsible citizens? What should the civil servants do in this regard?” said Shafqaat.
“A girl has been killed for daring to exist online. Her presence on social media has been met with violence and her life taken. This isn’t just a tragedy. It’s a mirror held to the society plagued by toxic patriarchy. Women’s voices are feared, their freedom resented and their strength punished. She deserved to live, to thrive, to speak,” a social media user wrote.
“Fragile male ego at work again. I am sorry that you became the victim of this barbarity like 1000s of others. A girl is safe nowhere, not even in her own home. The only justice we can give you is to keep you alive in our hearts forever! May your sweet soul rest in peace,” Khadija Abbas wrote on social media.
“It’s time we shift the focus from Sana to Umar. This isn’t just about an individual. It’s about a mindset that allows the harassment, silencing and killing of women and girls to continue unchecked. NGOs, civil society and government institutions must come together to dismantle this culture of violence. Nearly half of Pakistan’s population is made up of women and girls. We’re treated like second class citizens. What kind of development can you claim, when half the country is excluded from it?” wrote Karishma Ali from Chitral
Lack of tolerance for girls active on social media, mainly TikTok, has been growing. Four other TikToker girls have been killed in various parts of the country.
The writer is a staff member. He can be reached at vaqargillanigmail.com