Authorities in Islamabad have initiated a murder case following the tragic death of 17-year-old social media influencer Sana Yousaf, who was shot in her home. The incident, reported on Tuesday, led to the registration of a first information report (FIR) by her mother, Farzana Yousaf, at the Sumbal police station. The FIR, which cites Section 302 (intentional murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code, details how an unidentified assailant entered their residence around 5 PM and opened fire, hitting Sana twice in the chest. Despite urgent medical attention, she succumbed to her injuries.
Farzana described the shooter as a man with a slim build, wearing a black shirt and pants. Both she and her sister-in-law, who were present during the incident, can identify the suspect. At the time of the shooting, Farzana’s 15-year-old son was not at home, having traveled to their village in Upper Chitral.
Sana Yousaf had established a notable presence on social media, boasting approximately 800,000 followers on TikTok and nearly 500,000 on Instagram. This incident starkly mirrors a similar case from January, where a father reportedly killed his 15-year-old daughter over her TikTok activities, highlighting ongoing concerns around violence associated with social media content in Pakistan.
The country has a significant TikTok user base, exceeding 54 million, and has experienced multiple bans in the past due to controversial content. However, the app is currently operational, albeit under strict content moderation.
This tragic event serves as a painful reminder of the risks faced by young influencers and the urgent need to address the broader societal issues surrounding violence and digital expression in Pakistan.