The tragic end of a Pakistani star: The story of Tiktoker Sana Yousuf, murdered in Islamabad

Dubai: On June 2, 2025, a rising star of Pakistan’s digital space, 17-year-old Sana Yousuf, was fatally shot inside her home in Islamabad.

Known for her vibrant presence on TikTok and Instagram, Sana had carved out a niche as a content creator who celebrated culture, youth expression, and women’s empowerment. Her sudden death has shocked the nation and reignited conversations about the safety of social media influencers especially young women in Pakistan.

Social aware family

Born on June 2, 2008, and raised in the scenic Chitral region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Sana came from a socially aware family. Her father, a government officer, and her mother, Farzana Yousuf, a local activist, instilled in her a sense of responsibility toward her community. From a young age, Sana gravitated toward platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where she used her voice to entertain, educate, and empower, according to reports in Pakistani media.

Sana's content

Sana’s content was a reflection of her roots and her aspirations. Her videos, often lighthearted and humorous, carried undertones of cultural pride, female autonomy, and youthful ambition. She frequently highlighted Chitrali traditions and encouraged her growing audience especially girls to express themselves and take up space online. With nearly 800,000 followers on TikTok and half a million on Instagram, Sana had become a role model for many young Pakistanis.

A life cut short

On the evening of June 2, while home with her aunt, Sana was confronted by a man who had entered the house with a pistol. According to an eyewitness account from her aunt, the assailant had a brief exchange with Sana, during which she reportedly told him: “Go away from here. There are cameras all around. I will fetch you some water.” Moments later, he shot her twice in the chest.

The gunman fled the scene while Sana was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries. The tragedy unfolded while her mother was out at the market and her father was at work. Her younger brother, 15, was away in their hometown of Chitral.

An FIR was filed the same evening at Sumbal Police Station under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Swift action and arrest

The case saw rapid developments. Within 20 hours of the murder, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the arrest of the prime suspect 22-year-old Umar Hayat, known by his nickname “Kaka.” Himself a TikToker, Hayat was reportedly a known acquaintance of Sana’s.

Hayat was tracked using a combination of CCTV footage and digital forensics, including mobile data. After fleeing Islamabad, he was arrested in Faisalabad and confessed to the killing during initial police interrogation. Authorities also recovered the murder weapon, his clothes from the crime scene, and Sana’s phone.

How did it happen

According to CCTV footage, Hayat was seen walking calmly away from the crime scene while typing on his phone, moments before he escaped the city via motorway. The motive behind the murder remains under investigation, but initial evidence suggests a personal connection between the victim and the accused.

A troubling pattern

Sana Yousuf’s murder is not an isolated incident. Over the past year, multiple female content creators across Pakistan have faced threats, violence, and even death. In Khushab, a TikToker was killed by her cousin. Earlier in Peshawar, another influencer was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Perhaps most shockingly, a father in Quetta confessed to killing his 15-year-old daughter over her social media activities.

These cases underline a growing culture of intolerance toward female visibility and independence in digital spaces. With over 54 million TikTok users in Pakistan, the platform has been both a launchpad for talent and a flashpoint for controversy. It has been banned multiple times in recent years, with critics citing “objectionable content” while others highlight the need for digital literacy, regulation, and protections especially for young users.