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Islamabad, Pakistan
A court in Pakistan sentenced a man to death on Tuesday for the murder of a 17-year-old social media influencer who was shot outside her home last year after she rejected his offer of friendship.
Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka in Islamabad convicted and sentenced Umar Hayat for the killing of Sana Yousuf.
Hayat, 22, a fellow TikTok content creator, was arrested in June following the incident. According to police, investigators identified and apprehended Hayat by reviewing CCTV footage that captured him leaving the street where Yousuf lived shortly after the shooting.
The murder drew widespread outrage and condemnation across Pakistan. Yousuf had built a significant following on TikTok, one of the country’s most popular platforms. Her audience grew even larger after her death, with hundreds of thousands of new followers. Hailing from the picturesque northern Chitral region, Yousuf was recognized for her videos showcasing traditional Chitrali music and attire. She was also an advocate for girls’ education. Just hours before her killing, she had shared a birthday photo with friends on the platform. Yousuf’s family told reporters after the verdict that justice had been delivered.
