A Pakistani court has sentenced 22-year-old Umar Hayat to death for the murder of 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf, who was killed last year after repeatedly rejecting his advances. The verdict, handed down in Islamabad on Tuesday, also included a fine of $7,200. Hayat shot Yousaf at her home, where police reported he had loitered for hours before the attack. Yousaf, a popular social media personality with millions of followers, posted content on food, fashion, and skincare, as well as discussing relationship issues—a topic considered taboo in Pakistan.
The murder sparked nationwide outrage and reignited debates over women's safety. While many mourned Yousaf, some online comments blamed her for her own death, with messages like 'You reap what you sow' and 'It's deserved, she was tarnishing Islam.' Influencers and supporters condemned the victim-blaming, with one writing, 'This doesn't feel real. You were glowing, just being 17.'
TikTok is widely popular in Pakistan, offering women rare economic opportunities in a country where fewer than a quarter participate in the formal economy. However, the platform has faced temporary bans due to concerns over immoral or unlawful content. In July, police reported a father shot and killed his daughter after she refused to delete her TikTok account. Violence against women remains pervasive in Pakistan, according to the country's Human Rights Commission.