Who is Sana Yousaf, the 17-year-old social media creator, and why was she murdered?

Today, while the social media creators' content is booming with a massive audience, young content creators often rise to fame by sharing snippets of their lives, talent, and creativity. For many, these platforms are not just for entertainment, they’re a source of their livelihood, a source of identity, and a way to connect with the world.

One such rising star was Sana Yousaf , a 17-year-old TikTok creator from Pakistan, who had gained popularity for her short videos and growing social media popularity.


Who is Sana Yousaf?
Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old from Upper Chitral in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was well-known on TikTok for her videos that got thousands of views. She had also built a strong following on Instagram, with more than five lakh followers, and had a growing influence as a digital creator.

Tragically, she lost her life on Monday in Islamabad, where she had been living. According to a report by The Express Tribune, Sana was shot at close range by an unknown attacker who entered her home and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The motive behind the murder is still unclear, and police investigations are ongoing.It is suspected to be an honour killing

While the identity of the shooter hasn’t been officially confirmed, local media reports suggest the suspect may have been a guest at her home. Police officials said, “Sana Yousuf, who belonged to Upper Chitral, 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."


Her body was shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a post-mortem, and authorities are yet to make an arrest.

This is not the first such case

Sadly, this isn’t the first case of a young girl in Pakistan being targeted over social media. Earlier this year in Quetta, a 15-year-old girl named Hira was allegedly shot by her father and uncle in another suspected case of honour killing related to her TikTok activity.

The most well-known case remains that of Qandeel Baloch, a social media star murdered by her brother in 2016 for her bold online presence. Her case brought international attention to the dangers faced by women who challenge societal norms in Pakistan.