Teen TikTok star Sana Yousaf was shot dead in her home in Islamabad. Police suspect someone she knew. Her death has sparked national concern over the safety of female content creators in Pakistan.

Police authorities in Islamabad launched an investigation on Tuesday into the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Sana Yousaf, who was discovered dead from gunshot wounds inside her home.

The death of the well-known teenager, who had amassed over a million followers on TikTok and Instagram, has sparked renewed concern regarding the security of online public figures in Pakistan, especially young women.

Following a formal complaint lodged by Yousaf’s mother, the police filed a case against an unidentified individual.

“The murder took place within the victim’s home and appears to have been committed by someone she knew personally,” confirmed Malik Asif, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Sumbal Police Station, during a statement to DW.

Asif noted that the suspect was reportedly a frequent visitor to the family’s home, further suggesting a personal connection to the victim.

According to early police reports cited by the Pakistani news outlet Dawn, a male individual entered the residence at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Monday and shot Sana twice in the chest.

Despite being rushed to the hospital, Sana succumbed to her injuries. The suspect fled the scene and has not yet been publicly identified.

Yousaf’s mother described the suspect as having a neat appearance, with a medium build and height, and said he was dressed in a black shirt and trousers at the time of the attack.

She stated that she and her sister-in-law, who was visiting the family home, witnessed the shooting and are both capable of identifying the assailant if seen in person.

She also mentioned that her 15-year-old son was not at home during the incident, as he had traveled to their native village. Her sister-in-law had been staying with them for a few days.

Yousaf was widely recognized on social media for her engaging short videos and lifestyle content, boasting nearly 800,000 TikTok followers and close to 500,000 on Instagram.

She rose to prominence by sharing content that addressed cultural topics, women’s rights, and youth empowerment.

Her online presence included humorous reels, motivational commentary, and culturally relevant insights that struck a chord with her largely youthful audience.

In the aftermath of her death, an outpouring of grief and demands for justice emerged across social media platforms, with the hashtag #JusticeForSanaYousaf trending widely. Supporters, fans, and activists have called for a full and transparent investigation.

The tragic news adds to ongoing national discussions about the vulnerability of women in public roles and the dangers faced by female content creators in Pakistan.

Earlier this year, a separate high-profile case further highlighted these issues: a man who had returned to Pakistan from the United States with his family admitted to murdering his 15-year-old daughter due to objections over her TikTok content.

Pakistan is home to more than 54 million TikTok users. The app has faced repeated governmental scrutiny, having been banned four times in 2021 over content-related concerns. Although the platform is currently operational, it does so under stringent moderation policies and in compliance with takedown requests from authorities.