Who was Sana Yousaf? Teen TikTok influencer shot dead on her birthday in Pakistan

Time of India

04-06-2025

Seventeen-year-old TikTok creator
Sana Yousaf
was shot dead inside her home in Islamabad's Sector G-13 on 1 June 2025. According to police sources quoted by SAMAA TV, the assailant was a guest at her house. After a brief conversation outside, the man entered the home and shot her twice at close range. She died instantly.
The suspect fled immediately. 'Sana Yousuf, who hailed from
Upper Chitral
and resided in Sector G-13 of Islamabad, was fatally shot by a guest who had come to visit her at her residence. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the incident, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect,' a police officer told local media.
Her body was taken to the
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
(PIMS) for a post-mortem. The motive has not been confirmed, but investigators suspect the killing may have been honour-related. No arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning.
Who was Sana Yousaf?
Born on 2 June 2008 in Upper Chitral, a mountainous region in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Sana came from a family of activists. Her father is a known local campaigner. She had carved out a digital space for herself, blending traditional Chitrali folk music, attire, and dance with bold advocacy for girls' education and women's agency.
Her videos, widely shared on TikTok and Instagram, resonated with Pakistan's Gen Z. Her following surpassed half a million. Though still a first-year medical student, Sana's content was seen as a form of resistance against societal expectations. She was often compared to actress Hania Aamir for her spirited personality.
Live Events
She wasn't just performing—she was pushing back.
Suspected honour killing under probe
Investigators are now focusing on whether Sana's online presence and lifestyle triggered backlash from relatives or others in her community. Police confirmed that the suspect knew her and spoke with her before the killing. The case is being handled under the jurisdiction of Sumbal Police Station in Islamabad.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, officials said, 'The killer reportedly entered the house and opened fire before fleeing the scene.' No official identity for the assailant has been released yet.
The case echoes other incidents in Pakistan where young women have been murdered over perceived slights to family honour, particularly tied to social media use.
A pattern of violence against female influencers
Sana's death is not an isolated case. In January, 15-year-old Hira from Quetta was allegedly killed by her father and maternal uncle for refusing to quit TikTok. Anwarul-Haq, her father, had returned from the US and reportedly conspired with his brother-in-law to carry out the murder. Both men were arrested and confessed, according to ARY News.
And in 2016, Pakistan saw one of its most high-profile honour killings when social media personality Qandeel Baloch was strangled by her brother. Her case made global headlines and ignited a debate on women's freedom in Pakistan.
Each case leaves a chilling mark. It sends a message that expression can be fatal.
Public outcry and demands for justice
Social media platforms were flooded with grief and anger after the news broke. The hashtags #JusticeForSanaYousaf and #StopHonourKillings trended across Pakistani Twitter (X). One user wrote, 'She died on her birthday,' while another posted, 'Justice must be swift and firm.'
Women's rights group
Aurat March Pakistan
issued a statement: 'The murder of Sana Yousaf is not just a personal tragedy—it is a reflection of a systemic failure to protect women who dare to live with autonomy and pride.'
There is growing concern that such killings are becoming more frequent, especially targeting young women who gain digital visibility.
Sana Yousaf's death has once again brought Pakistan's
honour killing
laws and women's rights enforcement under scrutiny. Though legislation exists, implementation remains patchy. And when influencers like Sana take up space online, they become targets.
Her videos were filled with joy, defiance, and colour. Her silence now speaks volumes.
The investigation continues. Police say they are working to identify and apprehend the killer. But many in Pakistan fear that unless real protection is offered to women—both online and offline—Sana will not be the last to fall.