A 22 year old man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 17 year old social media star Sana Yousaf, whose killing earlier this year shocked Pakistan and reignited debate around women’s safety.
Umar Hayat, also a TikTok influencer, appeared in court in Islamabad on Saturday where the trial formally opened. He denied all charges, telling the judge: “All the allegations made against me are baseless and false.” The case was adjourned until 25 September, when witnesses will give evidence and charges will be formally framed.
Sana, who had built a following of more than a million on TikTok and other platforms, was known for posting videos about everyday life from local cafes to skincare routines and traditional outfits. For many young women in Pakistan, social media has offered both visibility and independence in a society where fewer than one in four women take part in the formal economy.
According to police, Sana was shot inside her home in June after repeatedly rejecting Hayat’s advances. Officers said he entered her house, opened fire at close range, and fled the scene. He is also accused of taking her mobile phone to try to erase evidence of her rejections. Police described the killing as “gruesome and cold blooded.”
News of Sana’s death sparked an outpouring of grief across Pakistan, with many offering condolences to her family. But alongside sympathy, some online comments attempted to blame her, reflecting ongoing challenges women face under strict social codes around “honour” and behaviour.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has repeatedly warned about widespread violence against women, including attacks on those who reject marriage proposals. One of the country’s most high profile cases came in 2021, when Noor Mukadam, 27, was brutally killed by her partner after refusing to marry him an incident that drew nationwide anger.
Sana’s death has once again forced Pakistan to confront the dangers faced by women who live publicly or independently. Campaigners say it underlines the urgent need for stronger protections and a shift in attitudes that too often excuse or justify violence.
For now, her family and the millions who followed her online are left mourning a young woman whose voice was silenced far too soon. We will be monitoring this case and bring you the verdict.
