A 17-year-old social media influencer, Sana Yousaf, was murdered in her Islamabad home on Monday in what police are describing as a targeted attack. Authorities say the suspect, 22-year-old Umar Hayat, confessed to the killing after being arrested in Pakistan.
Investigators believe Hayat had made multiple failed attempts to meet and allegedly befriend Sana. When his efforts were turned down, he allegedly forced his way into her home and opened fire on her. Two bullets were fired before he took her phone and fled the scene. Reports say Sana died before she could receive medical help.
At the time of the attack, Sana’s aunt was also at the residence. She told the family that the suspect threatened to shoot her as well before escaping. According to Sana’s father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, his daughter had said anything about Hayat or expressed concerns about being threatened. He described her as his only child and “very brave”.
The killing sparked national outrage and intense pressure on law enforcement. Police teams reviewed CCTV footage from over 100 cameras and conducted searches across Islamabad and Punjab. Both the murder weapon and Sana’s stolen phone were eventually recovered.
Sana had built a large online following, with over 500,000 Instagram followers and a massive TikTok audience of more than one million fans. Following her death, her social media accounts have seen an outpouring of grief and condolences while also drawing controversial criticism from some users.
Digital rights groups have condemned the backlash, describing it as misogynistic. Usama Khilji from Bolo Bhi noted that some critics even called for her accounts to be removed on religious grounds. Human rights activist Dr Farzana Bari said the reaction shows just how unsafe digital spaces remain for women in Pakistan.
Islamabad’s police chief called Sana’s death “tragic” and emphasised the importance of supporting women who choose to be public figures online. Sana was buried in Chitral, where her family is now grieving the heartbreaking loss.
