TikToker Sana Yousuf shot dead in Islamabad’s G-13 sector

ISLAMABAD: Well-known TikToker Sana Yousuf was shot dead inside her home in Islamabad’s G-13 sector, police said on Monday.

According to initial reports, assailants entered the residence (House No 81, Street No. 33, Sector G-13) of the TikToker and opened fire, killing her on the spot.

Sources also claimed that a guest who had visited the TikToker’s house shot her twice and fled the scene. She sustained two bullets which prove fatal, the sources said adding that the murder seemed to be honour killing.

The incident occurred, in the jurisdiction of Sumbal Police Station. Sana Yousuf, 17, daughter of Yousuf, originally hailed from the Chunj area of Upper Chitral district. The girl was reportedly working in a property office in Blue Area.

The family members took the girl to KRL Hospital for medico-legal formalities, sources said.

Sana Yousuf was the daughter of renowned social activist and active member of the Tehreek Tahafuz Haqooq-e-Chitral, Yousuf Hassan.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, while forensic teams have also collected evidence from the scene, the sources said.

Further details are awaited as police are working to determine the motive behind the killing.

Meanwhile, Sana Yousuf’s fans have expressed outrage on social media over her brutal murder. They have called on Islamabad police to arrest the culprits and ensure they receive exemplary punishment.

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According to the Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, Pakistan is ranked 153 out of 156 countries for “Worst Place to be a Woman”. This includes being denied basic rights in terms of economic participation, educational attainment, health and even political empowerment.

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And that’s not all! The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported in 2020 that at least 475 women were killed in the name of honour within a single year. Women exercising basic rights to marry whom they want is seen as justification to take their lives by the male relatives in this country.

The World Bank similarly reported in 2021 that women’s labour force participation in Pakistan was a mere 22 per cent. Barriers includes cultural norms, lack of access to education and limited job opportunities. With no independent earning source and complete financial dependency on husbands, few women can escape physical and sexual abuse.