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Aseefa Bhutto Condemns Murder of TikTok Star Sana Yousaf
Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari condemns TikToker Sana Yousaf’s murder, calling it a cruel reminder of how women are punished for saying no. “Her dreams were not a crime—her death must not go unanswered.”
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-10
Aseefa Bhutto Condemns Murder of TikTok Star Sana Yousaf

First Lady and Member of the National Assembly Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari has strongly condemned the cold-blooded murder of teenage social media influencer Sana Yousaf, who was gunned down at her home in Islamabad on the eve of her 17th birthday.

The teenager, known for her vibrant TikTok and Instagram presence, was shot in front of her mother and aunt in Sector G-13. The suspect, Omar Hayat, was arrested within 20 hours from Faisalabad, according to IG Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, who confirmed that Sana was killed for repeatedly rejecting Hayat’s advances. A local court has approved a 14-day judicial remand for the suspect.

In a powerful statement, Aseefa called the murder a "punishment for saying no", and a stark reminder of the violence and societal control that women and girls face in Pakistan.

“Sana was just a girl—with ambition, with dreams, with a life ahead of her,” said Aseefa. “What happened to her wasn’t just an act of violence — it was a punishment for saying no. And that should horrify every one of us.”

She went on to highlight the toxic culture of male entitlement that continues to claim the lives of young women across the country.

“This mindset that a woman’s rejection is an insult, that her choices need to be controlled—it’s old, it’s cruel, and it’s killing our daughters.”

Referencing her mother, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Aseefa emphasized the importance of protecting the space Benazir helped open for women in Pakistan:

“She didn’t just lead—she opened doors for millions of women. We owe it to her legacy, and to young women like Sana, to keep those doors open.”

Aseefa also condemned the wave of online abuse directed at Sana following her death, calling out those who attempted to justify the murder by referencing her presence on social media:

“There is nothing—no app, no photo, no video—that excuses murder. If that’s the logic, are we saying millions of girls across Pakistan are also at risk?”

In a direct and emotional message to young girls across the country, Aseefa urged them not to let fear define their lives:

“To every girl watching this unfold—don’t let them silence you. You have the right to dream, to speak, to exist without fear. Don’t back down. If you do, they win. But if we keep pushing forward—together—we’ll shape a country where girls aren’t blamed for their own deaths, but celebrated for their lives.”

Sana Yousaf had over 800,000 TikTok followers and nearly 500,000 on Instagram, becoming a rising star in Pakistan’s growing influencer scene. Her murder has sparked outrage and renewed calls for systemic protections for women, particularly against gender-based violence and online harassment.
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