Latest news with #SanaYousaf
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Women's right to reject marriage proposals rooted in Islam'
Islam grants every woman the right to accept or reject a marriage proposal without fear or coercion. The Constitution of Pakistan reinforces this right under its guarantees of personal liberty and choice. Yet across the country, a woman's refusal is often perceived not as autonomy, but defiance — a perceived insult that some men respond to with cruelty, violence, or even murder. These views were expressed by religious scholars, activists, and experts while condemning violence against women as un-Islamic. On June 2, 2025, Sana Yousaf was shot twice in the chest by Umar Hayat, a man whose repeated proposals she had declined. In another recent case in Rawalpindi, 18-year-old Sidra Bibi was allegedly murdered on the orders of a local jirga after marrying a man of her choice. Speaking to APP, Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Yasir Attari, a respected Islamic scholar, stated, "According to Shariah, a woman has full right to accept or reject a marriage proposal." When asked how to seek her permission, the Prophet replied: "That she remains silent." This Hadith clearly establishes that a woman's consent is essential. No guardian (wali), family member, or tribal council has the authority to override her will. "Rejection is not a sin," Maulana Yasir added. "It is not ingratitude or rebellion. Islam honours personal preferences and emotional compatibility. Saying 'no' is her Islamic rightlawful, protected, and sacred." Condemning violence in the name of honour, he said, "Violence, honour killings, burning, and suffocation are un-Islamic, unjust, and condemned. Forgiveness by family does not legitimise murder under Shariah. The state must treat such acts as murder and terrorism and prosecute them accordingly." In its July 2025 statement, the Pakistan Ulema Council declared that "Islam strictly prohibits honour killings. A woman has the full right to marry the man of her choice, and no violence or coercion is allowed." Dr Sobia Khateeb, a clinical psychologist and psychosexual therapist, highlighted the emotional dynamics behind such violence. "Rejection-driven violence reflects emotional immaturity and fragile masculinity. Boys are not taught how to handle rejection; they equate manhood with control," she said. She stressed that legal reforms alone are insufficient. "We need to raise boys with emotional intelligence and trauma-informed care," she urged. Rabbiya A Turkman, journalist and Deputy Editor of Risala Today, pointed out media bias in covering gender-based violence. "When powerful people are involved, mainstream media goes silent. Gender-based violence is underreported. Thankfully, social media is stepping in to build public pressure and preserve historical records," she noted. Muhammad Sanaullah Khan, an educationist at NUML University Islamabad, emphasised the transformative role of classrooms. "Educators must create safe spaces to discuss these issues. Through gender equality, consent education, and empathy, we can challenge deeply rooted stereotypes," he said. Bushra Iqbal Hussain, CEO of Mahfooz Bachpan, criticised law enforcement agencies. "Police often assume the girl did something wrong. Threats, acid attacks, and character assassination follow. Girls live in fear — not just for themselves, but for their families," she said. Hina Mushtaq, a student at COMSATS Islamabad, reflected on the generational struggle. "Whether we speak up depends on our environment. Fear of judgment silences many of us. But campuses that promote equality help students raise their voices," she said. This is not just a legal crisisit is a cultural one. These tragedies expose a toxic mix of patriarchal entitlement, legal loopholes, and silence from those in power. Laws mean little without enforcement. Honour means nothing when it costs lives.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Teen's murder sparks reckoning
Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old medical student and popular TikTok creator from Chitral, was shot dead inside her home in Islamabad – a murder that has shaken many across the country. The teenager, who had recently celebrated her birthday, was gunned down in front of her mother and aunt by an unidentified man who fled the scene on June 9, according to an FIR. The next day, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the Islamabad police had arrested the prime suspect in the case. Mohsin said the police had recovered the pistol from the man as well as Sana's mobile phone. The suspect also confessed to the murder, he added. During a press conference on June 10, Islamabad Inspector-General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said the suspect is a 22-year-old who they believe murdered Sana because she repeatedly refused his advances. The news sparked a wave of heartbreak and fury online. Many are mourning the loss of a bright, young girl – not just a social media personality with thousands of followers. Others are expressing frustration at how her identity as a TikToker is being used to dehumanise her, even in death. A quick scroll through Sana's TikTok and Instagram accounts shows a regular young girl posting about everyday life events, videos of her lip-synching to funny dialogues from movies, restaurant visits, travel content, promotional posts and celebrations. Users are unfortunately having to highlight that the problem isn't TikTok or that Sana was a 'TikToker' – it's a culture of impunity and a mindset that continues to excuse or even celebrate violence against women. 'A child, full of dreams, silenced before life could even unfold,' an X user wrote. 'What kind of world are we creating – where innocence is stolen before it even has a chance to shine?' 'Another day, another cold-blooded murder in the federal capital,' a user lamented. 'Disgusted to the core,' wrote Mahira Khan. Netizens called attention to the broader epidemic of femicide in Pakistan – where women, girls and gender minorities are routinely subjected to violence, often under the guise of honour, morality or public decency. 'She celebrated her birthday earlier today. She was a first-year medical student. Femicide is rampant in Pakistan,' a user pointed out. 'Fragile male ego at work again,' a user remarked. 'A beautiful, 17-year-old girl was probably too much for their Herculean masculinity to handle that she was a TikToker! So what they did do? Shot her dead! Sana Yousaf, I am sorry. May your soul find peace!' While many expressed heartbreak over the loss of a young life, in Facebook comments and TikTok reposts, some users were seen celebrating Sana's death, implying that her online presence somehow warranted a violent end. And while news of Sana's killing made headlines, much of the focus zoomed in on her identity as a TikTok star – as if her being a 'TikToker' made her less of a person and more of a target. 'I was browsing Facebook and only checked the comments – people were expressing joy,' one user wrote. 'It makes me feel ashamed that I belong to a nation where some take pleasure in the suffering of innocent girls,' a user wrote. Others also shared screenshots of similar celebratory comments, calling on the authorities to do something. Users also pushed back against labelling Sana a 'TikToker', arguing that reducing her to her online identity distracted from the crime committed against her. 'TikToker isn't a tribe, caste or crime,' one user argued. 'Why not say 'a teenage girl' or 'student' was killed? Why fixate on the platform she used?' 'I strongly condemn the brutal killing of Sana Yousaf,' another user posted. 'Uploading videos on TikTok is not a crime.' The backlash has reignited calls to term this phenomenon what it is – not just misogyny, not just cyberbullying, but a society-wide normalisation of violence against women. 'The comments saying that this is good because she's on TikTok seem to primarily be coming from young men. Pakistan has a big problem and it's not feminism or women posting TikToks – it's rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth, enraged lunatic men who believe all women are their property,' wrote RJ Sabah Bano Malik. 'Men have a men problem,' she added. 'Men keep murdering girls and women and trans people and guess what? Other men. So are men going to do something about men? Or will we continue to act like men murdering women is a woman's problem to solve?' Calls for justice have flooded social media timelines. 'This can't become normal,' journalist Ihtisham-ul-Haq posted. 'Justice must be swift and firm. The killers must be made an example of.' And while justice should of course be served, nothing can bring Sana back. She was a young girl – one who should have been studying for her next exam, making another funny video or celebrating her birthday with family. Instead, she was murdered – and people are celebrating it. Let's be clear: the problem is not TikTok. The problem is not a young girl posting videos. The problem is that a girl was murdered, and instead of grieving the tragic loss of a young life, some people are celebrating it. If that isn't reflective of the rot in our society, what is? — Dawn/ANN
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
TikTok star found dead after 'refusing marriage proposal'
Tiktok influencer Sumeera Rajput was found dead in her home after allegedly being poisoned (Picture: Mint) A TikTok star has been found dead after allegedly being pressured into entering a forced marriage. Sumeera Rajput, who boasted more than 58,000 followers and a million likes on the video sharing platform, was discovered at her home in Ghotki district in Sindh, Pakistan. An investigation is underway to determine her cause of death, with two people currently being held in custody in connection with the incident. Sumeera's daughter, 15, said her mother had been poisoned with tablets after refusing a marriage proposal, Mint reported. It comes amid a spate of attacks towards female social media influencers, who have found a sense of expression in the app in a nation where less than a quarter of women are in the workforce. Arranged marriages are commonplace in Pakistan and unions without family consent are frown upon. Adults under the age of 30 were most likely to have a 'love marriage' in which they chose their partner. A survey by Gallup Pakistan last year found that four out of four marriages in the country. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,000 forced marriages take place in Pakistan each year. It is common for girls to be married off young by parents who cannot afford to keep them and want to pass responsibility onto another family, with 18 per cent tying the knot before the age of 18. Tiktok influencer Sana Yousaf was brutally murdered after rejecting a man's advances multiple times (Picture: sanayousaf22) Last month a teenage TikTok influencer was shot dead in her home. Sana Yousaf, 17, was killed by 22-year-old Umar Hayat after she refused his advances, a police investigation found. The young activist had attracted a huge following from her videos which combined local music and traditional dress with vocal support for women's rights and education. The National Commission on the Status of Women, a statutory body which examines governmental policy on women, condemned the attack. Its chair, Ume Laila Azhar said: '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.' Tiktok has previously been banned on at least four occasions by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority due to indecent and violent content. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan, 28 per cent of women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical violence, while six per cent have have been subjected to sexual violence. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Influencer Emilie Kiser's husband dodges criminal charges after toddler son's drowning death Arrow MORE: Donkey Kong Bananza fan breaks game by painting the cartridge yellow Arrow MORE: Gen Z are making their tea without a kettle and it's an 'absolute violation'
India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
Pakistani TikToker Sumeera Rajput Found Dead, Daughter Alleges Poisoned For Refusing Marriage: Report
New Delhi: Sumeera Rajput, a TikTok content creator known for her videos on the platform where she had amassed over 58,000 followers and more than one million likes, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her home in the Bago Wah area of Sindh's Ghotki district, as reported by Geo News. District Police Officer (DPO) Anwar Shaikh told the media that Rajput's 15-year-old daughter alleged her mother had been poisoned. According to the daughter, several individuals had been pressuring Rajput into a forced marriage. She claimed that these individuals gave her mother poisonous tablets, which led to her death, Geo News reported. Rajput's body was moved to a local hospital for a post-mortem examination. Dr. Sarwanand, the medical superintendent, stated that the initial examination showed no signs of physical violence, though samples have been sent to a laboratory to determine the precise cause of death. Police have taken two individuals into custody for questioning. However, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered so far. Authorities said the motive remains unclear and that they are investigating multiple angles to determine if foul play was involved. This incident follows a disturbing trend of violence against female content creators in Pakistan. Just last month, 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf was reportedly shot dead inside her home in Islamabad's Sector G-13/1. Yousaf, who had more than 740,000 followers on the platform, was with her aunt at the time of the shooting. Also Read | Who Was Sana Yousaf? 17-Year-Old Pakistani TikToker Shot Dead In Islamabad: Report Islamabad Police arrested the suspect, Umar Hayat, also known by the nickname 'Kaka,' within 20 hours in Faisalabad. The case, as reported by Geo News, sent shockwaves through the online community and reignited conversations about the increasing risks faced by women in the digital space.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Pakistani TikTok star Sumeera Rajput found dead, daughter says ‘she was poisoned for refusing marriage'
In yet another incident of a harrowing incident from Pakistan, a TikTok content creator was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her home in the Bago Wah area of Sindh's Ghotki district. Sumeera Rajput was a digital content creator with 58,000 TikTok followers and over one million likes on her posts. (@kumailsoomro/X) Sumeera Rajput was poisoned by individuals who had been pressuring her to marry forcibly, the deceased's 15-year-old daughter said, according to Geo News. Rajput's daughter claimed that the suspects gave poisonous tablets to Sumeera, which led to her death. The daughter is also a content creator, with over 58,000 followers on TikTok. Two individuals have been taken into custody following the incident, however, the authorities have not yet clarified their motive. Rajput, a digital content creator, had 58,000 TikTok followers and over one million likes on her posts. Allegations of forced marriage and poisoning are now surfacing, creating outrage and highlighting the deep-rooted violence faced by women in the country. Ghotki District Police Officer Anwar Shaikh confirmed the claim made by the 15-year-old daughter, according to Geo News. However, no FIR has been registered in the case so far. The police said that they are investigating whether foul play was involved in the case. Also read: Pakistani TikTok star Sana Yousaf, 17, shot dead in Islamabad: Report This case is among a string of targeted killings involving female influencers in Pakistan. Last month, another TikToker named Sana Yousaf, 17, was shot dead inside her home in Pakistan's Islamabad. Umar Hayat, a 22-year-old man who was persistently contacting her, was arrested as her alleged killer. Sana Yousaf's death sparked an outrage on social media, with #JusticeForSanaYousuf trending on Instagram and X. The Pakistan administration has largely remained unresponsive to the violence against women and the increasing cases of forced marriages and gender based killings.
