Latest news with #SanaYousuf
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Women facing digital harassment: CERT
In the context of the recent murder of a TikToker, Pakistan's National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has issued an advisory, noting that women continue to face persistent threats such as image-based abuse and digital harassment in Pakistan. The advisory — titled Safe, Diligent, and Responsible Usage of Social Media — has painted a stark picture of the digital threat landscape in Pakistan, highlighting risks that affect millions particularly children, women, and elderly users — who are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation, misinformation, emotional manipulation, and online abuse. CERT has noted that these threats are compounded by inadequate reporting channels and low digital literacy, while flagging a worrying increase in cyber incidents affecting children, including exposure to explicit content and online grooming. According to the advisory, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Facebook dominate the digital space, especially among youth, providing avenues for expression, education, and activism. "However, these platforms are also fertile ground for disinformation campaigns, phishing scams, impersonation, harassment, and algorithm driven psychological manipulation." A young TikToker, Sana Yousuf, was tragically shot dead in the federal capital on June 2. The suspect, 22-year-old Umar Hayat — also a social media content creator — allegedly killed Sana after she rejected his offer of friendship. Sana Yousuf, 17, had more than one million followers on social media, The advisory said manipulation of user emotions through provocative content and the constant comparison promoted by curated online lives has also contributed to increasing stress and mental health issues.
Mint
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who killed Pakistani TikTok star Sana Yousuf? Teen shot dead for rejecting suspect's 'offers of friendship'
After 17-year-old Pakistani TikTok star Sana Yousuf was shot dead at her Islamabad residence on Monday, a man was arrested in Faisalabad in eastern Punjab province for allegedly killing her. The accused, identified as 22-year-old Umar Hayat, also a social media content creator, was arrested on Tuesday by the Islamabad Police and was produced in court on Wednesday. Umar is accused of shooting Sana Yousuf, who had more than one million followers on social media, after she rejected his offer of friendship. The murder in Pakistan's capital city has sparked widespread outrage across the globe. According to TV footage, Umar, with his face covered, was brought to court, where police requested additional time to complete their investigation and file formal murder charges. The judge ordered that Umar be presented again on June 18 for pretrial proceedings. Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, Islamabad's Inspector General of Police (IGP), told a media briefing on Tuesday: '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.' The suspect took Yousuf's phone with him to 'destroy evidence'. But police had seized her phone as well as the murder weapon from the suspect, Rizvi added. The suspect and Yousuf had known each other for one year. He had travelled to Islamabad between May 28 and 29 to wish Yousuf well on her birthday, but the two could not meet, for unspecified reasons, Dawn reported, citing sources. Authorities told BBC that they believe Umar Hayat murdered Yousaf at her home in Islamabad on Monday after she rejected what they called his "offers of friendship". He allegedly also repeatedly tried, and failed, to meet her. Sana originally hailed from the northern region of Chitral in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Through her videos, she promoted traditional Chitrali music and dress and advocated for girls' education. Hours before Sana Yousuf was killed, she had posted a photo celebrating her birthday with friends. According to The Express Tribune, Sana was shot at close range by an unidentified assailant who reportedly entered her home and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The report, citing police sources, stated: "The killer reportedly entered the house and opened fire before fleeing the scene."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
A Pakistani man accused of killing a young TikTok influencer appears in court
ISLAMABAD — A Pakistani man accused of killing a 17-year-old TikTok influencer after she rejected his offer of friendship made his first court appearance Wednesday, officials and police said. Suspect Umar Hayat, 22, who also creates content on TikTok, was arrested Tuesday by Islamabad police in Faisalabad, an industrial city in eastern Punjab province. He is accused of shooting Sana Yousuf, who had more than one million followers on social media. The killing earlier this week in Islamabad drew widespread condemnation. TV footage showed Hayat with his face covered as he was brought to court, where police requested additional time to complete their investigation and file formal murder charges. The judge ordered that Hayat be presented again on June 18 for pretrial proceedings. Yousuf, originally from the scenic northern region of Chitral, was known for promoting traditional Chitrali music and dress through her videos. She also advocated for girls' education. TikTok has more than 60 million users in Pakistan, many of them young women and teenagers. Hours before her murder, she had posted a photo celebrating her birthday with friends. The Associated Press
Arab News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Pakistani man accused of killing young TikTok influencer appears in court
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani man accused of killing a 17-year-old TikTok influencer after she rejected his offer of friendship made his first court appearance Wednesday, officials and police said. Suspect Umar Hayat, 22, who also creates content on TikTok, was arrested Tuesday by Islamabad police in Faisalabad, an industrial city in eastern Punjab province. He is accused of shooting Sana Yousuf, who had more than one million followers on social media. The killing earlier this week in Islamabad drew widespread condemnation. TV footage showed Hayat with his face covered as he was brought to court, where police requested additional time to complete their investigation and file formal murder charges. The judge ordered that Hayat be presented again on June 18 for pretrial proceedings. Yousuf, originally from the scenic northern region of Chitral, was known for promoting traditional Chitrali music and dress through her videos. She also advocated for girls' education. TikTok has more than 60 million users in Pakistan, many of them young women and teenagers. Hours before her murder, she had posted a photo celebrating her birthday with friends.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
'Sana's murder a case of repeated rejections'
Islamabad police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested the prime suspect in the murder of popular TikToker Sana Yousuf within 20 hours of the incident, saying the teen was killed for repeatedly rejecting the advances of the suspect. According to the police, the killing occurred in an upscale area of the capital, where a masked and armed assailant entered her home in the evening and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Sana was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Police initially termed the incident a targeted killing and accelerated their investigation. According to Inspector General of Islamabad Police Ali Nasir Rizvi, authorities employed modern technology, including CCTV footage and geo-fencing, to trace the suspect's movements and phone activity. Calling it a high-profile case with significant public pressure, the IG stated that law enforcement officials worked tirelessly and made the arrest using all available resources. The arrested individual has reportedly confessed during initial interrogation, and police have recovered the weapon used in the crime along with the victim's mobile phone. A case has been registered, and officials say the charge sheet will soon be submitted to the court. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the police for their prompt action, saying the resolution demonstrates that there is no place for lawlessness in the country. Meanwhile, social media users have reacted strongly, demanding justice and the harshest possible punishment for the perpetrator. Followers and supporters of Sana Yousuf have appealed to the government for exemplary action to deter such crimes in the future. Police assure that the case is being handled as a model investigation and that judicial proceedings will be expedited to deliver justice to the victim's family. Hailing from Chitral, Sana was a populer TikTok star. Her body was transferred to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a post-mortem examination. Initially, the police said they were investigating the incident but have not yet been able to apprehend the suspect. They also said the suspect may have been a guest at the victim's house at the time of the murder. "The suspect entered the house, fired multiple shots, and then fled the scene," said police. Sympathies and condemnations poured in following the brutal murder. "A young woman Sana Yousaf full of dreams, hope, and courage was silenced simply for daring to exist online. Her presence on social media was met with violence, and her life was stolen in cold blood. She deserved to live. To thrive. To speak. We must mourn her. And we must rise," a netizen said.
