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Roya News
6 days ago
- General
- Roya News
Teen TikTok star shot dead: What we know so far
Seventeen-year-old social media influencer Sana Yousaf was shot and killed at her home in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday in what police and rights activists are calling a targeted act of gender-based violence. Yousaf, who had amassed over 1.1 million followers on TikTok and was known for her lip-sync videos, was reportedly shot twice in the chest and later died at the hospital. She was originally from Chitral in northern Pakistan and had recently celebrated her birthday, as seen in her last TikTok post. Police arrested a 22-year-old man from Faisalabad within 20 hours of the murder. According to Islamabad's police chief, the suspect had tried to contact Yousaf multiple times and traveled to Islamabad to see her. When she refused to meet him, he allegedly forced his way into her home and shot her during an argument. The suspect also took her phone, apparently in an attempt to destroy evidence. The murder has sparked widespread outrage, with women's rights groups, including the Aurat March and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), condemning the killing and demanding justice. 'This wasn't a random act – it was a premeditated attack by a man who couldn't take no for an answer,' said a statement from Aurat March. Sana's murder is the latest in a growing number of violent crimes targeting women in Pakistan, particularly those with a public presence online. Activists warn of a disturbing trend in which women are punished for visibility, independence, and rejecting unwanted advances. In 2024 alone, at least 346 women in Pakistan were killed in the name of 'honour,' according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan — a number that excludes many cases like Yousaf's, where the attacker was not a family member.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Who was Sana Yousaf, Pakistani TikTok star shot dead by a gunman?
Police in Pakistan's capital Islamabad have arrested a man accused of murdering a 17-year-old social media influencer, Sana Yousaf. Yousaf, who had hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, was shot dead at her home on Monday, the latest high-profile instance of suspected femicide in Pakistan. Local media reported that Yousaf was shot dead at her home in Islamabad at about 5pm (12:00 GMT), according to a police report filed by Yousaf's mother, Farzana Yousaf, seen by Pakistani news outlet, Dawn. The report added that Yousaf was shot twice in her chest and was taken to a hospital but died of her injuries. Yousaf was a social media influencer, originally from Chitral, a city about 400km (250 miles) north of Islamabad. As of Wednesday, her TikTok account had 1.1 million followers. She often posted videos of herself lip syncing to songs. The last video posted on her account is a montage of her celebrating her birthday with her friends. On Tuesday, Yousaf was buried in her ancestral graveyard in Chitral's Chuinj village, according to Dawn. On Tuesday, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, Islamabad's inspector general of police (IGP), told a media briefing that the police had arrested a suspect from Faisalabad, a city about 320km (200 miles) south of Islamabad, within 20 hours of the murder. 'The accused is a 22-year-old unemployed man who repeatedly attempted to contact the victim. Upon her refusal to respond, he committed the murder,' said Rizvi. He added that the suspect took Yousaf's phone with him to 'destroy evidence', but that police had seized her phone as well as the murder weapon from the suspect. Dawn reported, quoting unnamed sources close to the investigation, that the suspect and Yousaf had known each other for one year. The suspect had travelled to Islamabad between May 28 and 29 to wish Yousaf well on her birthday, but the two could not meet, for unspecified reasons. The suspect and Yousaf then spoke by phone and decided to meet on June 2. When the suspect reached Yousaf's house, she did not come out. However, he still managed to enter and an argument ensued, escalating into Yousaf's murder. Yousaf's parents were not at home when the murder took place, but her aunt was present. The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), a statutory body established to examine government policies affecting women, has demanded a detailed investigation into the crime. 'We will not let this case be buried under social stigma, false narratives of honour, or procedural loopholes. This senseless killing highlights the vulnerability of women and girls, even in their own homes. We demand justice for Sana and her family, and expect the state to ensure accountability of the perpetrators,' said NCSW chairperson Ume Laila Azhar. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the suspect's arrest in an X post on Tuesday. 'Police has recovered the pistol and the i phone [iPhone] of the deceased girl and accused has confessed the murder as well,' he wrote. Al Jazeera has not been able to independently confirm whether the suspect has confessed to killing Yousaf. Aurat March, the feminist group which organises Pakistan's largest annual women's march in multiple cities – usually coinciding with International Women's Day on March 8 – posted a statement on Tuesday. 'We, the Aurat March chapters across the country, demand justice for Sana a 17-year-old girl and TikToker who tragically lost her life to patriarchal violence,' the account wrote in the caption. 'Patriarchy feels most threatened when women & gender minorities claim voice and visibility in public by challenging the stand pat norms. In response, it turns to violence the ultimate tool to silence, control, and erase. 'This is exactly what happened to Sana who was killed inside her own home by a violent man who couldn't take no for an answer. 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.' Actor Mahira Khan also posted a story on Instagram, sharing the news of Yousaf's murder. 'Disgusted to the core,' Khan wrote in the caption. In recent years, several incidents have occurred involving young women being subject to violent crimes at the hands of men they know. Many of these women also had a social media presence on platforms such as TikTok. 'Sana Yousaf's murder is part of a horrifying, ongoing pattern of violence against women in Pakistan, especially those who dare to exist with autonomy,' Nighat Dad, the executive director of a nongovernmental, research-based advocacy organisation, Digital Rights Foundation, told Al Jazeera. 'These are not isolated incidents. What connects them is a culture where women are punished for visibility, independence, and saying no. 'At the heart of this pattern is fragile masculinity and deeply rooted misogyny. When young women assert boundaries or say no to romantic or sexual advances, it bruises the male ego, especially in a society that teaches men entitlement over women's bodies and choices. This entitlement, when left unchecked by law, culture, and platforms, turns deadly,' Dad added. On January 28, a man named Anwar ul-Haq was charged with murder after he confessed to shooting his 14-year-old daughter Hira Anwar in Quetta, a city in Pakistan's southwest. The man, who had recently moved his family back to Pakistan from the US, told the police he found TikTok videos made by his daughter 'objectionable'. His daughter had been posting videos to the social platform before she had moved to Pakistan with her family. In October 2024, police in Pakistan's southern city Karachi said they had arrested a man for killing four members of his family. The four women, aged 60, 21, 20, 20 and 12 were found with slit throats in separate rooms of their apartment, according to the police. In 2022, Pakistani American woman Sania Khan was 29 when she was shot and killed by her former husband, Raheel Ahmad, in Chicago after she had posted about her divorce on her TikTok account. When the police arrived, Ahmad, 36 at the time, shot himself with the gun he used to kill Khan. Possibly the most high-profile murder case of a Pakistani woman took place in 2016, when social media star Qandeel Baloch was killed by her brother when she was 26 years old. 'Women who are visible online, particularly those who challenge social norms or exist outside the mold of respectability politics, face disproportionate abuse and threats,' Dad said. 'The backlash isn't just digital, it's physical. When platforms fail to act against hate and harassment, they enable a culture where violence becomes the consequence of women simply being seen and heard.' In all, 346 women in Pakistan were killed in 2024 in the name of 'honour', up from 324 in 2023, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). But this statistic likely does not include cases like Yousaf's, where the accused man is not from the victim's family and committed murder after his advances were rejected. In July 2021, 27-year-old Noor Mukadam was killed in Islamabad by Zahir Jaffar, whose family was known to Mukadam's. In 2022, a judge sentenced Jaffar to death for the rape, murder and beheading of Mukadam. Last week, Pakistan's Supreme Court upheld Jaffar's death penalty. 'We need systemic change. The state must treat online misogyny and gender-based violence as connected threats and not separate issues,' Dad said. 'When a woman says no, and a man responds with violence, that's not heartbreak, it's abuse.'
Express Tribune
03-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
TikToker Sana Yousaf murder case: Suspect arrested
Listen to article Islamabad police have reportedly arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of TikToker Sana Yousaf in the capital's Sector G-13. The murder occurred on Monday, when a masked assailant shot the young TikTok star. Within hours of the incident, the suspect was apprehended. Authorities also recovered the weapon used in the crime, as well as the victim's iPhone. The accused has reportedly confessed to the murder. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the Islamabad Police, stating, "Well done to Islamabad Police. The Sana Yousaf murder case was solved, the accused arrested, and the weapon recovered within 20 hours." CCTV footage of the alleged killer has also been retrieved. The footage shows the suspect leaving the scene of the crime. Sources indicate that the suspect appears to be young in the video. Sources indicate that the suspect appears to be young in the video. The suspect can be seen wearing a black T-shirt. The footage also shows the suspect fleeing the scene. Islamabad police registered a case under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code. NCSW condemns the murder of TikToker Sana Yousaf The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has strongly condemned the murder of TikToker Sana Yousaf. In a statement, Ume-Laila Azhar, Chairperson of the NCSW, called the act "unacceptable" and stressed that it reflects the broader issue of patriarchal violence against women in society. "This heinous act is a clear reflection of the violence women face in a patriarchal society," Azhar said. "It is a stark reminder that more needs to be done to protect women from such atrocities." The NCSW has called for an immediate, transparent, and thorough investigation into the incident. "We demand that the authorities take swift action to bring the perpetrator to justice," Azhar added. The Chairperson further emphasised that the killer must be arrested, and the law must take its course. "We expect that the perpetrators will be held accountable to ensure justice for Sana and her family," Azhar said. Shahida Rehmani calls murder a wake-up call for society The Women's Parliamentary Caucus has strongly condemned the murder of social media influencer Sana Yousaf from Chitral. In a statement, Chairperson Shahida Rehmani expressed deep concern, calling the incident "shocking" and emphasising the broader societal implications. "Her murder is not only the end of a talented young woman's life but also a question mark on our collective conscience," said Rehmani. "Sana Yousaf was a girl who had positively made her mark, inspiring thousands of young people. Her brutal murder is deeply saddening." Rehmani further demanded immediate investigations into the incident, urging authorities to arrest the killer and provide justice to the victim's family. "The safety of women is a fundamental responsibility of the state," she said. "This tragic incident highlights that women, no matter how influential or talented, remain vulnerable." Earlier this year, another teenage social media user was killed in Quetta, Pakistan, when Anwar ul-Haq, who had recently returned from the US, confessed to shooting his daughter. Initially claiming she was killed by gunmen, he later admitted to the crime, citing her TikTok content, attire, and social activities as the reason. Authorities treated the incident as a possible honour killing case, and Haq's brother-in-law has also been arrested.
Express Tribune
08-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz vows gender equality, issues first Gender Parity Report
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirming his commitment to gender equality said women's empowerment could only be achieved by providing them an equal access to education, skill development and employment opportunities. 'It's our mission and an unwavering commitment to ensure emancipation of the country's female population,' he said in his address here at an event of International Women's Day, marked globally on 8th March to celebrate the achievements of women and to make a call for their rights. Prominent women from diverse fields including cabinet members, legislators, entrepreneurs and activists joined the event at the Prime Minister's House, which was organized by Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The prime minister, on the occasion, launched the capital's first-ever Gender Parity Report prepared by NCSW and UNFPA, which identifies challenges and recommends solutions in key areas such as education, health, governance, political representation and justice. PM Sharif said his government would collaborate with provinces for a collective action to promote women's integration in programmes contributing to national economy. He announced to establish a Working Women's Endowment Fund in a bid to support working women and help them compete with the contemporary challenges. He termed the PM's Women Empowerment Package a 'revolutionary step in eliminating discrimination against women' in areas of employment and for making special provisions to provide them facilities at par with men. 'Our fifty percent women population can be turned into a productive workforce if given a level-playing field,' he said. To facilitate working women, he highlighted that daycare centres were set up across public and private departments in Islamabad, with a plan to further expand the scope of facilities. The prime minister regretted that a large number of highly-qualified women in the country quit professional careers in their struggle to balance work and families, resulting in a huge loss of skilled human resource. 'My message to the educated [women] segment is to come forward and join hospitals, banks and other professions of their expertise in order to positively contribute towards national economy,' he said. PM Sharif paid tribute to the country's women champions, who played a prominent role in shaping the landscape of female empowerment. In this regard, he particularly named the leading women of Pakistan Movement Fatima Jinnah and Begum Raa'na Liaquat Ali Khan, Benazir Bhutto as the first woman prime minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world, Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Begum Kulsum Nawaz as icons of resistance against dictatorship, social workers Bilquis Edhi and Dr Ruth Pfau, lawyer Asma Jahangir, country's youngest IT expert Arfa Karim, former National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, first woman Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz, first woman chief justice of Lahore High Court Justice Aalia Neelum and first female judge of Supreme Court Justice Ayesha Malik. 'These 'daughters of the nation' are a remarkable symbol of women empowerment who made their mark in their respective fields,' he said. Shehbaz Sharif recalled the steps taken for women's emancipation during the earlier tenures of his party in power including the establishment of Punjab's first anti-violence centres for women, enhanced women quota in boards of government departments, increased stipend for girl students, and ending child labour at brick-kilns by enrolling 90,000 such children to schools. Minister for Law, Justice and Human Right Azam Nazeer Tarar said in line with PM Shehbaz Sharif's directive, the ministries and departments had been tasked last year to ensure women-inclusive policies. The initiative, he said, successfully led to higher proportion of women's representation in the departmental boards. He pointed out that Pakistan was ranked 145th out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index, next to Afghanistan, which 'did not reflect a true picture and was contrary to ground reality'. He called upon the relevant organizations to revisit the ranking and expressed the government's readiness to share the required data. UN's Resident Coordinator Mohamed Yahya said the UN was committed in supporting Pakistan to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 related to gender action plan. He said gender equality needed to be recognized not as a woman specific matter, but a human issue. The launch of Islamabad's Gender Parity Report is significant in identifying the challenges that further need attention, he added. Chairperson Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming Dr Nafisa Shah said women's representation across various governmental bodies and departments remained below the targeted 33 percent benchmark. She termed their representation was essential for effective governance and smooth policy-making. Chairperson NCSW Umme-e-Laila spoke about Pakistan's gender parity situation, saying the women were breaking barriers in multiple sectors. As steps of empowerment, she highlighted the launch of Pink Buses for women commuters exclusively and the 'Women on Wheels' project which provided skillset to women for their easy and independent mobility. Chairman Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Akif Saeed said under PM's Women Empowerment Package, the SECP was tasked to nominate the private companies who had implemented family-friendly policies at their workplace. He said the companies would serve as role models in promotion of a safe working environment. The prime minister gave away the Family Friendly Awards to 10 best private companies, including Alpha Beta Core Solutions, Arfa Karim Technology Incubator, Aviation MRO, Blink Capital, Funverks Global, Gift Educational, Kistpay, Laiba Enterprises, Ladies Fund Energy, and Li & Fung Pakistan. The awards were based on an online survey and a scoring matrix prepared by SECP in collaboration with UN Women and Pakistan Business Council. Over 230 companies participated in the survey launched in 2024, out of which 10 were short-listed through a transparent process.
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Insights and Challenges
Listen to article As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, it's an appropriate moment for Pakistan to not only reflect on the progress made in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, but also confront the institutional barriers that remain firmly in place. The Beijing Platform, adopted in 1995, offered a blueprint for transforming global gender norms, with particular focus on areas like education, economic participation, health, violence against women, and political representation. For Pakistan, the journey has been mixed, and while there are achievements worth acknowledging, the path forward demands deeper institutional commitment to address the systemic challenges that still restrict the true realization of gender equality. In Pakistan, gender equality has been a key feature of public policy for decades, but entrenched patriarchal systems and deeply rooted cultural norms continue to hinder the effective implementation of progressive laws and policies. To fully honor the Beijing Declaration, Pakistan must not only be a signatory to international commitments but also translate those commitments into action, particularly through strengthening institutions that play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality. National Institutions: Progress and Pitfalls Over the years, Pakistan's government has made efforts to integrate gender equality into its national policy framework. Notable steps include the National Policy for Women's Empowerment (2002), the establishment of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), and initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which has empowered economically marginalized women by providing direct financial assistance. Yet, these efforts are often inconsistent, and their reach is limited. Rural Pakistan, in particular, remains a stark example of how gender-based inequalities are compounded by a combination of cultural conservatism and limited institutional infrastructure. Despite the existence of policies, the deep-seated nature of gender discrimination means that in many areas of the country, land inheritance and access to education remain heavily gendered. Women's representation in politics, although growing, is still constrained by structural barriers that prevent them from achieving real political influence. The case of Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, is both a success and a cautionary tale. Bhutto's leadership was a milestone in the country's history and a testament to the potential of women's political leadership. However, her tenure also exposed the limits of institutional support and the persistence of patriarchal structures. While Benazir Bhutto's political ascent was an anomaly in the context of Pakistan's male-dominated political culture, her inability to overcome these entrenched systems in her lifetime highlights just how far Pakistan has yet to go in creating a truly inclusive and gender-sensitive political environment. International Commitments: Progress on Paper, Not Always in Practice On the international stage, Pakistan has often aligned itself with global frameworks such as the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include specific commitments to gender equality. The Beijing+30 review emphasizes the need for global collaboration to advance gender equality, and institutions like UN Women have been crucial in providing technical support and advocacy for women's rights in Pakistan. However, the disconnect between global commitments and national realities persists. International frameworks cannot simply be imposed from the top down; they must be coupled with localized efforts that are responsive to the complex socio-political and cultural landscape of Pakistan. While Pakistan is a signatory to these agreements, there remains a significant gap in translating the language of global conventions into practical, on-the-ground policies that address the everyday challenges women face, particularly in rural or underserved regions. The Role of Civil Society and the Private Sector In Pakistan, civil society organizations and the private sector have played an increasingly important role in addressing gender equality. Women's rights activists, NGOs, and community-based organizations are engaged in a multi-pronged effort to break down social norms and challenge the status quo. Groups like Aurat Foundation and Bedari continue to advocate for legal reforms and provide crucial support for women, while microfinance programs such as those spearheaded by Kashf Foundation offer financial independence to rural women. However, these grassroots efforts often face resistance, both from patriarchal structures and state institutions that are either indifferent or actively hostile to gender equality initiatives. Pakistan's private sector, though growing in its support for gender equality through CSR initiatives, still faces significant challenges, including gender pay gaps, discriminatory workplace practices, and a lack of opportunity for women in senior leadership roles. Companies like Unilever Pakistan and Engro Corporation have made important strides, but the overall progress remains slow. The private sector's involvement in financial inclusion—including initiatives like mobile banking and microcredit—has been one of the more successful areas of gender empowerment in Pakistan. Women are increasingly gaining access to resources and credit, allowing them to start small businesses and gain economic independence. But again, these efforts are often piecemeal and require stronger institutional support to truly reach those most in need. Case Studies from Developing Countries: Lessons for Pakistan Pakistan's gender equality journey can benefit from the experiences of other developing countries that have seen measurable progress in women's empowerment. For instance, Rwanda stands out for its strong political will to ensure gender parity in governance. With a parliament that has the highest percentage of female representatives globally—61%—Rwanda's success story demonstrates that political representation is key to transforming broader societal attitudes toward women. The establishment of the Gender Monitoring Office ensures that gender-sensitive policies are integrated across various sectors, from health to education to economic development. This is a clear example of how institutional commitment and policy reform can create lasting change. India has made significant strides through grassroots movements like Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which provide rural women with financial resources, training, and leadership opportunities. These groups have proven particularly effective in promoting economic empowerment while also creating platforms for women to engage in political and social decision-making. In Brazil, the Maria da Penha Law has been a game-changer in the battle against domestic violence. Backed by government support and civil society involvement, this law has made it easier for women to report violence, access legal remedies, and receive protection. The National Women's Institute in Mexico has similarly worked to integrate gender-responsive policies into the national agenda, with tangible results in health, education, and economic participation for women. These countries show that when there is a concerted effort at both the national and grassroots level—backed by legal reforms, public policy, and political will—substantial progress can be made. Pakistan, despite its unique challenges, can draw inspiration from these successes and adapt their best practices to its own context. The Way Forward: A Call to Action As Pakistan reflects on the Beijing+30 milestone, it must commit to translating the ideals of gender equality into tangible, everyday actions. For real progress to occur, national institutions must be strengthened, laws must be enforced with consistency, and gender-sensitive policies must be integrated into every aspect of public life—from education and healthcare to economic participation and political representation. The private sector, civil society, and international partners have a crucial role to play in supporting this transformation, but it is ultimately political will and institutional reform that will ensure gender equality becomes more than a lofty aspiration. The Beijing+30 review is not just an occasion to take stock of past achievements but an urgent call to address the persistent challenges that continue to undermine women's rights in Pakistan. The path ahead demands collective action, sustained commitment, and a willingness to challenge the structures of power that perpetuate gender-based discrimination. Pakistan must not only sign the agreements but implement them—it's time to turn words into action.
