The tragic murder of 17-year-old TikToker Sana Yousaf has brought to light the troubling dynamics surrounding women in Pakistan’s online spaces. Yousaf was shot dead in her home in Islamabad in June by Umar Hayat, a 22-year-old man who, according to police, had been stalking her after viewing her TikTok videos. During the attack, Yousaf’s mother and aunt were in the next room, and her mother, Farzana Yousaf, described the moment as devastating, saying, “I completely lost my senses. My world ended.”
Following the shooting, police apprehended Hayat in Faisalabad, approximately 320 kilometers from the capital. He was found with Yousaf’s phone and the weapon used in the crime. Authorities allege that the murder occurred after Yousaf rejected Hayat’s advances.
Yousaf was a rising social media influencer with a substantial following. She boasted over half a million followers on Instagram and more than a million on TikTok, where she shared light-hearted content that included fashion and lifestyle videos. Her last post featured a montage celebrating her birthday. Yousaf’s father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, expressed disbelief at the circumstances surrounding her death, stating, “You are not harming anyone. Why should that make you someone’s enemy?”
Violence Against Women in Social Media Context
The shocking nature of Yousaf’s murder has reignited discussions about violence against women in Pakistan, particularly those who engage with social media. Tragically, she is not the only victim. Earlier this year, a father in Quetta confessed to killing his 15-year-old daughter over her TikTok activities, initially claiming she was shot by strangers. In 2021, another TikTok star, Muskan Sheikh, and three colleagues were killed in Karachi, with the police attributing the incident to personal disputes while public discourse focused on their content, labeled as “obscene.”
Activists highlight that such violence is part of a broader pattern of gender-based violence in the country. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, over 700 women were murdered in the first half of 2023, with a significant portion classified as honour killings. In addition, more than 600 women experienced sexual violence, over 500 were kidnapped, and numerous others were victims of acid attacks. Alarmingly, at least eight women were reportedly killed due to their online activities.
The case of Sana Yousaf echoes that of Qandeel Baloch, a social media star who was strangled by her brother in 2016. Although he received a life sentence, he was acquitted in 2022 after the family pardoned him, highlighting the failures of honour-crime laws in ensuring justice.
Online Harassment and Gendered Disinformation
The threats facing women extend beyond physical violence, as online platforms have increasingly become hostile environments. Following Yousaf’s death, the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) analyzed online reactions and found that many comments glorified her murderer, framing her death as a consequence of her social media presence. This phenomenon, termed “gendered disinformation,” shifts blame from perpetrators to victims, portraying women’s visibility as immoral.
TikTok, which has over 54 million users in Pakistan, has faced repeated bans for “spreading obscenity.” Currently, it operates under strict moderation and is subject to state-ordered takedowns. Critics argue that this fosters a culture of surveillance and hostility, particularly towards women. Farzana Bari, a prominent gender rights activist, emphasized the challenges women face in a patriarchal society, stating, “How do you expect that the space which will be created online will be free of the same threats and harassment women feel on the street?”
Despite the backlash and societal pressures, Yousaf’s parents remain resolute in their call for justice. “Girls should be free,” Mr. Hassan asserted. He believes that listening to one’s heart and pursuing one’s desires is a fundamental right. He insists that Yousaf’s killer and those who support him must face severe consequences, stating, “Nowhere does society, the law, or Islam give permission to do this… they should be publicly hanged.”
The murder of Sana Yousaf serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle women face in navigating both online and offline spaces in Pakistan. Without stronger protections and societal changes, many women remain vulnerable to violence and discrimination.
