In a troubling event that has shocked Pakistan’s online community, social media influencer Sana Yousaf, age 19, has allegedly been murdered in Islamabad. The colorful Tiktok and Instagram influencer who had become known for her silly content and fun-loving personality was already making an impact with a massive following.
After being found dead in her family’s home, it was suggested that Sana had died “under suspicious circumstances”. The family’s first reports suggested suicide, but police conducted a follow-up investigation and found evidence of inconsistencies in family members’ version of events, and reopened the investigation. These additional investigations ultimately lead to her father and brother confessing to the murder under an “honor killing”.
The murder of Sana has sparked enormous anger against the honour based violence she faced, with activists and citizens across the country condemning it and asking for justice. Across social media, tributes to Sana, and calls for harsher laws against honour-based violence, have proliferated.
Human rights groups have argued honour killings happen every year in Pakistan, and we need to see societal and legal change to eradicate both the societal institution of ‘honour’ and the lives it destroys in patriarchal cultures.
The Islamabad police have reassured the public that they will conduct an extensive investigation and seek justice for Sana and her family, but also suggested the need for community vigilance to combat these crimes but worse.
Sana’s demise highlights the struggles of women in Pakistan and those in the public domain. It is a call for society to take a moment to reflect and take concrete actions to prevent gender-based violence against all individuals.
As Pakistan continues to grieve the loss of a young life with great potential, there is a global hope that Sana’s life and death will not be in vain and that changes in policy and attitudes around women’s rights and safety in Pakistan will take place.
