A 22-year-old man named Umar Hayat has been charged in Pakistan with the murder of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf. The incident occurred in June when Yousaf reportedly rejected Hayat’s advances multiple times. Following her death, there was widespread condemnation as well as some comments that suggested blame might be attributed to Yousaf, which has sparked discussions regarding the treatment of women on social media platforms.
Hayat was arrested shortly after Yousaf’s death and initially confessed to the crime; however, he later pleaded not guilty in an Islamabad district court, claiming that the accusations against him are “baseless and false.” Authorities allege that Hayat murdered Yousaf at her home in Islamabad after she declined his offers of friendship. Reports suggest he broke into her residence and shot her before stealing her phone and fleeing the scene.
Hayat comes from a family background connected to public service and is a TikTok user himself. Yousaf was a prominent figure on social media, boasting around half a million followers on Instagram before her passing. After her death, her TikTok account gained significant traction, amassing over two million followers following the tragedy.
Condolences for Yousaf’s death poured in across her social media platforms, where she frequently shared content related to her favorite cafes, skincare products, and traditional clothing. Her last Instagram post featured her celebrating her birthday surrounded by balloons and cutting a cake. TikTok has gained considerable popularity in Pakistan, providing many women with a platform to showcase their talents and earn an income in a society where female participation in the formal economy is limited.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9v77prngy4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss