A Pakistani court has formally charged 22-year-old Umar Hayat with the murder of 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf, who was shot dead at her home in June after rejecting his repeated advances.
Hayat pleaded not guilty in Islamabad’s district court, insisting the allegations were “false and baseless.” Police, however, described the killing as a “gruesome and cold-blooded murder.”
Sana’s death, which sparked nationwide outrage, reignited debate about women’s safety in Pakistan, where violence against women remains pervasive. With over a million followers, Sana had gained fame on TikTok by sharing lifestyle videos, but her killing also triggered victim-blaming commentary online.
Women’s rights groups warn that the case highlights the dangers faced by women who reject marriage proposals in a society still influenced by rigid honour codes. The murder has drawn comparisons to the 2021 killing of Noor Mukadam, which shocked the nation.