A 17-year-old Pakistani social media influencer was shot inside her residence in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday, with police suspecting it to be a case of honour killing. The incident occurred at her house located in Sector G-13.
The deceased, identified as Sana Yousaf, a well-known TikTok creator from Upper Chitral who had nearly 500,000 Instagram followers, was allegedly shot at close range by a relative, as reported by Pakistani broadcaster Samaa TV.
Citing police sources, media reports state that the suspect spoke with Yousaf outside the home before entering and opening fire. “The suspect entered the home, fired multiple shots, and escaped,” a police officer said.
Yousaf was allegedly shot twice at point-blank range, resulting in her instant death. Later, her body was sent to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for an autopsy.
No Arrest So Far
Following the incident, no arrests have been made so far as a police investigation is underway. In order to find the possibility of an honour killing police are investigating multiple angles. SAMAA TV reported that the attacker might have been someone from the guests at her residence.
“Sana Yousaf, who hailed from Upper Chitral and resided in Sector G-13 of Islamabad, was fatally shot by a guest who had come to visit her at her residence. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the incident, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect,” citing police sources, the channel said.
Sana Yousaf gained popularity through her TikTok videos and was well-known for her engaging content. A teenager from Chitral and the daughter of a social activist, she used social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram, to advocate for cultural heritage, women’s empowerment, and education. Her posts frequently highlighted the customs and traditions of Chitral.
Her tragic death highlights a disturbing trend of violence against young female influencers in Pakistan. Earlier this year, a 15-year-old girl named Hira was killed in Quetta by her father and maternal uncle over her presence on TikTok.
Hira’s father, Anwarul-Haq, became furious when she refused to give up making TikTok videos. He then plotted her murder with his brother-in-law. Both men were arrested by the police and later admitted to the crime.
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