Teenage TikTok Star and Women’s Rights Advocate Gunned Down in Islamabad

A 17-year-old Pakistani TikTok star known for championing women’s rights has been shot dead in what police are calling a “gruesome and cold-blooded” murder in Islamabad.

Sana Yousaf, who had amassed more than 1.5 million followers across social media, was killed at her home on June 2 by a man authorities say had repeatedly harassed her online after she rejected his advances.

Islamabad Police Chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi confirmed a 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. “This was not a random act.

It was a targeted killing following repeated rejections,” he said during a press briefing. “The brutality of this case is deeply shocking.”

Investigators say the alleged gunman managed to enter Sana’s home and fired several rounds at close range, hitting her twice and killing her instantly. The weapon used in the attack has since been recovered.

Sana was widely known for using her platform to promote gender equality, frequently challenging misogynistic attitudes and encouraging young women to speak out. Her short-form videos often touched on issues ranging from street harassment to women’s education.

Just hours after the attack, a scheduled post appeared on her social media accounts — a video clip showing Sana celebrating her 17th birthday with friends on a rooftop, eating pizza and pasta and laughing with joy. The video has since gone viral, amplifying the grief of her fan base.

Messages of sorrow and outrage have poured in from followers around the world. One user commented, “This doesn’t feel real. You were glowing, just being 17. I’m so sorry this world didn’t protect you. Rest in peace, sweetheart.”

Another follower wrote: “This is a mirror held up to a society still plagued by toxic patriarchy — where women’s voices are feared, their freedom resented, and their strength punished.”

Activists in Pakistan have called for urgent legal reforms and increased protection for women in digital spaces, where harassment often goes unchecked. Sana’s death, they argue, highlights the deadly consequences of online abuse spilling into real life.

The case has drawn comparisons to earlier incidents, including a recent murder in the US where a woman was shot after rejecting a street harasser’s advances. Critics argue that such crimes reflect a broader, global culture of gender-based violence.

In that US case, James Johnson, 43, was found guilty of murdering 42-year-old Nikki Loffredo after she yelled back at him for catcalling her. He later admitted to feeling “disrespected,” a sentiment echoed in numerous cases of gender-based attacks.

Sana Yousaf’s death has reignited debate in Pakistan about the safety of women — both online and in their own homes — and raised fresh calls for authorities to address what campaigners describe as a “culture of impunity” for gender-based crimes.