On 2 June 2025 Pakistani social media influencer Sana Yousaf aged 17 was tragically shot and killed at her home in Islamabads G 13 1 sector The suspect identified as Umar Hayat was apprehended shortly afterwards The case has drawn significant national attention and spurred protests with calls for justice and broader reforms.
Victim Profile Who Was Sana Yousaf
Age & Background Born on 2 June 2007 in Chuinj Upper Chitral Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sana had just turned 17 at the time of her death She was in first year of MBBS college living with her family in Islamabad .
Social Media Presence A rising TikTok and Instagram star she posted cultural educational and womens rights content She had amassed around 740000 TikTok followers and nearly 500000 on Instagram.
The Fatal Incident
Timeline On 2 June shortly after her birthday celebrations Sana was at home in the evening with her aunt A man later identified as Umar Hayat entered the house According to reports he confronted Sana who told him to leave and offered to fetch water He then shot her twice once in the chest and once in the stomach and fled.
Aftermath Sana was rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences PIMS where she was declared dead Her body was later taken to her ancestral graveyard in Chuinj Chitral where she was laid to rest .
Investigation & Arrest of Suspect
- Rapid Response Police launched a massive manhunt using
- Footage from over 100 113 CCTV Safe City cameras
- Analysis of more than 300 call records and
Apprehension
The suspect 22 year old Umar Hayat reported to be both a cousin and social media acquaintance was arrested in Faisalabad within about 20 hours of the murder
Evidence Collected Authorities seized the murder weapon Sanas iPhone and the clothes the suspect was wearing Umar reportedly confessed citing repeated rejection as motive
Legal Proceedings Hes currently held on a 14 day judicial remand in Adiala Jail with an identification parade and investigation report expected by 18 June 2025 .
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Official Statements
Islamabad Police IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi described the crime as gruesome and cold blooded stating the suspect acted after being repeatedly rejected
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the police writing that they traced the case arrested the accused and recovered the weapon within 20 hours .
Public Reaction & Protest
Womens Rights Groups
The National Commission on the Status of Women NCSW demanded a transparent and thorough investigation warning against cover ups by honour narratives .
The Aurat March chapters condemned the murder emphasizing that violence stems from patriarchal attempts to silence womens autonomy .
Online Outcry The hashtag JusticeForSanaYousaf went viral with high profile voices like actress Mahira Khan and singer Aima Baig publicly decrying the killing.
Public Demonstrations On 5 June Aurat March held a protest at Islamabads National Press Club Demonstrators carried banners reading Saying No is My Right and urged swift legal action against Umar .
Context Gender Based Violence in Pakistan
Sanas killing is seen as part of a distressing pattern violence against women especially those who publicly assert independence is rampant Notable prior incidents include
The 2021 Noor Mukadam case wherein a woman was murdered after rejecting a marriage proposal .
Familial honour killings such as Qandeel Balochs high profile murder in 2016 by her brother
In 2024 346 women were killed in Pakistan under the guise of honour killings .
Conclusion Toward Accountability & Reform
Sana Yousafs death has ignited profound sorrow and rage across Pakistan spotlighting alarming patterns of gender based violence and digital vulnerability for young women The swift arrest of Umar Hayat offers hope for legal accountability However widespread demands persist for systemic reforms to protect womens safety ensure justice and fundamentally challenge the patriarchal norms enabling such crime .