Teen Pakistani Influencer Sana Yousuf Shot Dead at Home, Honour Killing Suspected
A young and popular Pakistani social media influencer, 17-year-old Sana Yousuf, was shot dead at her residence in Islamabad on Monday evening, with police investigating the possibility of it being an “honour killing.” The assailant, reportedly a relative who had come to visit her, fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Sana, a well-known content creator hailing from Upper Chitral and residing in Sector G-13 of Islamabad, had amassed a significant following, with nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram and a large subscriber base on TikTok. According to police officials cited by Pakistani media, the suspect had a conversation with Sana outside her home before entering and opening fire.
“The suspect entered the home, fired multiple shots, and escaped,” a police official was quoted as saying. Sana reportedly sustained two bullets at close range and succumbed to her injuries on the spot. Her body was subsequently shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a post-mortem examination. While a manhunt for the suspect is underway, no arrests have been made yet. Police are exploring all possible motives, including the deeply entrenched issue of honour killings, which are rampant across Pakistan.
The tragic killing has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with netizens and followers demanding swift justice for the young influencer. Hashtags like #JusticeForSanaYousuf began trending on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), with users mourning her death and condemning the violence.
Sana Yousuf, the daughter of a social activist, was known for her engaging content which often focused on daily lifestyle, Chitrali culture, and, significantly, awareness videos promoting women’s rights and education. She also created motivational content aimed at the youth. Her work has drawn comparisons to Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban in 2012 for advocating for girls’ education in Pakistan.
This incident is not an isolated one in Pakistan, where female social media personalities have increasingly become targets. Earlier this year, a 15-year-old girl named Hira was allegedly killed by her father and maternal uncle in Quetta over her TikTok activity. In that case, the family had recently relocated from the United States to Pakistan, and the father initially claimed unknown assailants were responsible before reportedly confessing.
The repeated targeting of young women for their online presence and expression highlights the grave dangers they face in conservative societies. Human rights organizations estimate that roughly 1,000 women are killed in Pakistan each year in the name of “honour,” though many cases are believed to go unreported or are misclassified. These acts of violence are often perpetrated by family members who believe the victim has brought shame or dishonour upon the family, with triggers ranging from social media activity to choosing one’s own partner.
As the investigation into Sana Yousuf’s murder continues, her death serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threat of gender-based violence and the challenges faced by women seeking to express themselves and advocate for their rights in Pakistan.
