Rejection, obsession, murder: what led to Pakistan TikTok star Sana Yousaf's killing

Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old TikTok star with over 8,00,000 followers, was shot dead in her house in Pakistan's Islamabad in what police are calling a "gruesome and cold-blooded" act driven by rejection and obsession.
Pakistani TikToker Sana Yousaf's followers were over a million across platforms, however, the rising digital influencer's life was cut short on Monday by a man who had been persistently contacting her online, according to an AFP news agency report.
Police say the suspect, a 22-year-old man, had loitered outside her house for hours before the attack, the report said.
'It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again,' Islamabad police chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi was quoted as saying at a press briefing.
'It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder,' Rizvi added.
Sana Yousaf was popular for her lip-sync videos, skincare tips, and collaborations with beauty brands. Her final TikTok, posted just hours before her death, showed her cutting a cake to celebrate her 17th birthday.
In the wake of the killing, disturbing comments emerged on social media, with some users suggesting her murder was warranted due to her online presence—a sentiment rooted in the country's entrenched notions of "honour" and gender roles.
'You reap what you sow,' read one such comment.
Women's rights activist Nighat Dad condemned the backlash, saying such reactions normalise gender-based violence in Pakistan.
'The vile comments under news of Sana's murder aren't just hateful noise, they're part of a mindset that normalizes violence against women in Pakistan,' she said online, as per AFP.
Muniba Mazari, Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women Pakistan, wrote on X, Another day, another precious life taken for simply saying No! We all failed to protect a 17 year old vibrant girl who was creating joy for millions. #SanaYousaf You deserved better. We failed you!"
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has long warned about the prevalence of violence against women, especially in cases where men respond violently to rejected romantic or marriage proposals.
Sana Yousaf's killing has drawn parallels to past high-profile attacks, including the 2021 murder of Noor Mukadam and the 2016 stabbing of Khadija Siddiqui—both victims of rejected suitors.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hindustan Times

26 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

Tulsi Gabbard 'missing' from Trump's Situation Room? Photos of Iran strikes raise questions

In photos that have surfaced, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard appears to be absent in the Situation Room during President Donald Trump and his key national security officials' recent meeting. Gabbard previously claimed to lawmakers that 'Iran is not building a nuclear weapon,' and was directly contradicted by Trump in recent days. Tulsi Gabbard 'missing' from Trump's Situation Room? Photos of Iran strikes raise questions (Photo by Ezra Acayan / POOL / AFP)(AFP) Trump said on Friday, June 20, that 'my intelligence community is wrong' if they have no evidence Iran is pursuing nuclear arms. On being told that the claim was made by Gabbard, Trump replied, 'She's wrong.' Meanwhile, Trump has announced that the United States has launched strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites. The decision to involve the US directly came after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran. 'No reason for her to be there if she is openly defying the president Trump' Gabbard's absence from the Situation Room photos was pointed out by social media users. An X account wrote, sharing a couple of photos, 'Was Tulsi Gabbard in the situation room during the strike?' Many X users weighed in on the comment section, with one saying, 'Tulsi Gabbard must be outcast or something.' 'Looks like not. I will point out that folks in the military routinely have to support decisions they may not agree with. No evidence that she cannot continue to do the job. But it's up to Trump,' one user said, while another wrote, 'If she wasn't, it is not good for her. Could signal her ouster.' One wrote, 'There's no reason for her to be there if she is openly defying the president Trump'/ 'Different pics from all around the room point to 'no',' one user noted, while another pointed out, 'Trump was pretty mad at her before!' One wrote, 'I think she might be getting replaced soon.' Some users also pointed out that just because Gabbard is not seen in the photos that have been publicly shared, it does not mean she was not in the room. Some suggested that she may have been there but was not photographed. 'There are no pictures of the cameraman either,' one user joked, while another jokingly commented, 'she was making the coffee'.

First Post

31 minutes ago

• First Post

With a 2-hr closed-door meeting, Trump may have made it difficult for Asim Munir

While their meeting has been seen as a sign of US-Pakistan bonhomie, US President Donald Trump might have put Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir in a difficult position: Munir risks compromising ties with China with the turn to the United States and Trump's demands go against longstanding Pakistani foreign policy. read more Pakistan's Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir salutes after laying wreath on the martyrs' monument during a guard of honour ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. AFP While their meeting is definitely a sign of the brewing US-Pakistan bonhomie, US President Donald Trump appears to have put Pakistani Army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir in a difficult spot: while Trump's offerings are generous, his demands are taxing and risk compromising longstanding Pakistani position. Trump held a two-hour-long meeting with Munir on Wednesday, which was seen as a breakthrough in the US-Pakistan relationship. For one, Trump wants Pakistan to distance itself from China and pivot to the United States. That is a non-starter for Pakistan as China is invested so much in the country economically, politically, and militarily that distancing is not just infeasible but unthinkable. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Trump's outreach to Pakistan —and offers— don't come for free. The risks for Munir are also substantial. Trump puts Munir in difficult spot While Trump made generous offers to Munir, he also sought substantial returns on his investment. Trump sought Pakistan's military bases and seaports from Munir in exchange for fifth-generation fighter planes, significant financial aid, and new trade and security deals, according to CNN-News 18. Trump told Munir that the offer rests on the condition that Pakistan would curtain dealings with China and Russia. A source further said that Trump would want Pakistan to be on the US side if he would decide to join Israel in attacking Iran. ALSO READ: Trump wants military bases from Munir, offers security-trade deals in US-Pak reset: Report While Trump's offerings are great, they put Munir in a tough spot as accepting these offers would mean diluting yearslong relationship with Pakistan and undoing the longstanding policy regarding Israel. Consider these facts: China accounts for around 23 of all Pakistan's trade, China is the largest source of foreign investment in Pakistan with a share of around 40 per cent, and just one project, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), adds 2-2.5 per cent of Pakistan's economy. Moreover, while Pakistan has historically used Western weapons, the military has been increasingly armed by China in recent years . In the past five years, around 80 per cent of Pakistan's military imports have been from China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With such dependence, it is impractical —if not impossible— for Munir to curtail ties and engagement with China and replace it with the United States as the principal partner of the United States. But, once you have had an audience with Trump and received such offers, it is not easy to bluntly say no. That means that either Munir would lose face in front of Trump by refusing the offers or he would try to reach middle ground that could upset both Trump and Xi Jinping of China. Trump seeks reset in US-Pakistan ties With his meeting with Munir, Trump has made it clear that he is seeking a reset in US-Pakistan ties. In an unprecedented meeting that lays bare who truly runs Pakistan, Trump held a meeting at the White House with Munir on Wednesday. This was the first time a President of the United States held a direct, formal meeting with a Pakistani army chief. Three previous army chiefs, Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf, held meetings with the US president but only when they were heads of state while running a military regime after a coup — not in capacity as army chiefs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The reset in US-Pakistan relationship has come at a time when Trump's policies and actions have soured times with India . He has not just continued to falsely claim mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict last month but has also hyphenated India and Pakistan, intervened in the Kashmir dispute, and made deals with jihadists from West Asia to South Asia that adversely affect India's security interests. ALSO READ: Beyond Pakistan: Trump's open embrace of jihadist forces across Asia a new headache for India However, as mentioned above, Trump is not making offers but also seeking substantial returns. South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman describes it as a 'classic Trump' give-and-take approach. 'There's been US-Pakistan engagement on crypto, minerals and counter-terrorism, and Trump takes a deep personal interest in all of these. This is classic Trump: 'What can you do for me? What can I get out of this?' Kugelman, a Senior Fellow at Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, told Guardian. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Hindustan Times

44 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

Every US citizen a 'target': Iran after US strikes on Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites

The US on Saturday struck and 'completely' destroyed three Iranian nuclear sites, escalating the ongoing conflict of Israel and Iran. Speaking to state TV, Iranian officials have also confirmed the strikes on the Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities in Iran. US struck Iran and three nuclear sites on Sunday, confirmed President Donald Trump(AFP) Citing Akbar Salehi, an aide to the governor of Isfahan, state agency IRNA confirmed the attacks on the Iranian sites. Follow LIVE updates on the Iran Israel war here Salehi added that many residents "witnessed attacks near the nuclear centres of Isfahan and Natanz," adding that several explosions were heard in Isfahan and Natanz regions. Iran's state TV further reported that the 'Islamic Republic had evacuated the three nuclear sites some time ago.' 'Trump usually bluffs. The extent of the damage needs to be assessed. The Islamic Republic's nuclear industry cannot be destroyed by bombing,' state TV further reported. Following the attack from the US, Iranian state TV presenters also warned of the incoming consequences. Iran's atomic agency condemns US strikes The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has slammed the US bombing of its nuclear sites as a 'blatant violation of international law.' "Following the brutal attacks by the Zionist enemy over the past few days, Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan came under a savage assault in the early hours of today—an act in blatant violation of international law," the state body said. "This action, which contravenes international norms, has unfortunately taken place under the indifference—or even complicity—of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The American enemy, through the U.S. president's public statements on social media, has claimed responsibility for the attacks on these sites ...The global community is expected to condemn these lawless acts rooted in the logic of the jungle and support Iran in asserting its legitimate rights," it added further. Every US citizen a 'target' Following the attack from the US, Iranian state TV presenters have warned of the incoming consequences. One such presenter from the IRNA was quoted as saying that every US civilian and military personnel in the region is now a "legitimate target." "The battle has just begun, Mr. Trump! Now you talk of peace? We will deal with you in a way that makes you understand the consequences of recklessness," another Iranian presenter said in a state TV program, as per Iran International.