A man in Pakistan has been formally charged in connection to the death of 17-year-old TikTok personality Sana Yousaf, who authorities say was killed after repeatedly refusing his advances.
The June murder of Ms. Yousaf sparked widespread condemnation, though some comments appeared to place blame on the victim, fueling a sharp debate regarding women’s presence on social media platforms.
Umar Hayat, 22, was apprehended and initially confessed to the crime soon after Ms. Yousaf’s death. However, he entered a not-guilty plea in Islamabad’s district court on Saturday.
“All the allegations made against me are baseless and false,” the accused stated to the presiding judge.
Upon his arrest, authorities indicated they believed Mr. Hayat murdered Ms. Yousaf at her Islamabad residence after she rejected what they described as his “offers of friendship.” He also allegedly made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to meet her.
Investigators allege that Mr. Hayat forcibly entered her home, discharged two gunshots, stole her mobile phone, and subsequently fled the scene.
Mr. Hayat, himself a TikTok user and the son of a former public official, was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
Ms. Yousaf had already established a significant following in Pakistan, boasting half a million followers on Instagram prior to her death. Her TikTok account experienced a surge in popularity, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers and currently exceeding two million.
Condolences inundated her social media profiles, where she frequently shared videos featuring her favorite cafes, skincare products, and traditional clothing.
Her final Instagram video depicted her surrounded by balloons, celebrating her birthday with a cake.
TikTok enjoys considerable popularity in Pakistan, offering many women a platform to gain an audience and generate income—opportunities that are often limited in a country where female participation in the formal economy remains relatively low.
Trump said a deal had been approved but Chinese state media did not confirm that an agreement had been reached.
Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old who unsuccessfully applied for asylum, was arrested by immigration authorities last week.
Norma, a movie based on a viral true story from TikTok, has become a nationwide obsession.
For 24 years, Shankar endured a lonely existence – including at least 13 spent in solitary confinement.
The US embassy said “these individuals and close family members may be ineligible for travel” to the US.