Sana Yousaf's killer should be severely punished: Atta Tarar

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Saturday visited the residence of slain TikToker Sana Yousuf in Islamabad to offer condolences to her grieving parents.

The young social media influencer was recently murdered in a shocking incident that sparked outrage across the country.

Speaking to the media after the visit, Atta Tarar strongly condemned the killing and emphasized the need to introduce legislation to regulate social media platforms such as TikTok, saying the time for such legal reform has arrived.

“TikTok has many benefits, but also many disadvantages. Such platforms should be used positively,” he remarked.

The minister revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had taken strict notice of Sana’s murder. He appreciated the prompt response by the Islamabad police, noting that the accused was arrested within hours of the crime.

However, he stressed that swift arrest is not enough and that the case must be followed through to its conclusion.

“Now there should be no lack in prosecution,” Tarar said, adding that a special committee has been formed to monitor the legal proceedings and ensure justice is served.

Atta Tarar also criticized the performative activism by some members of the social media community. He lamented that many of Sana’s fellow TikTokers posted tributes and conducted photoshoots for views and likes, but were absent when it came to supporting her family or attending court proceedings.

“It’s time her own community took the trial seriously. This case should be treated as a test case, and the accused must be given the strictest punishment possible,” he said.

Tarar further urged that Sana Yousuf’s murder must not be allowed to fade from public memory and called on both civil society and digital influencers to stand up against such acts of violence.

On June 2, a young TikToker, Sana Yousuf, had been tragically shot dead in Islamabad within the jurisdiction of the Sumbal police station.

According to police officials, Sana Yousuf, who hailed from Upper Chitral and resided in Sector G13 of Islamabad, was fatally shot by a young boy who had come to visit her at her residence; he shot her dead when she repeatedly refused to meet him. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the shooting, and as later arrested from Faisalabad.

Also Read: IGP claims Sana Yousaf killed for refusing to befriend suspect

The body was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a postmortem examination.

Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi had termed the murder of the popular TikToker a “huge tragedy” and a deeply disturbing case that the police took as a challenge to solve with utmost professionalism.

Addressing a press conference, Rizvi revealed that Sana Yousuf, who rose to social media fame at the age of 17, was shot five times inside her home on June 2 at 5pm. “Any brutal murder of a daughter is a serious challenge for the police. The Islamabad Police handled the case with full commitment and professionalism,” he stated.

The motive behind the heinous act, according to the police, was unrequited obsession. “The suspect wanted to be friends with Sana Yousuf, but she had continuously rejected his advances,” Rizvi said.