• A man, Umar Hayat, has been charged with the murder of TikTok star Sana Yousaf.
• Yousaf was shot after repeatedly rejecting Hayat's advances.
• The case has sparked widespread condemnation and debate on women's safety in Pakistan.
• Yousaf had over two million TikTok followers and was known for promoting girls' education.
• Violence against women remains a serious issue in Pakistan.

A court in Islamabad formally charged Umar Hayat, 22, with the murder of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf. The incident occurred after Yousaf had repeatedly rejected his advances, leading to Hayat allegedly shooting her outside her home. Despite being arrested shortly after the event and reportedly confessing to the police, Hayat pleaded not guilty in court, claiming, "All the allegations made against me are baseless and false," according to SCMP and BBC.

The case has drawn nationwide condemnation and reignited discussions surrounding women's safety in Pakistan. Yousaf, a popular influencer with over two million followers on TikTok, shared content highlighting traditional culture and girls' education. Tragically, she was celebrating her birthday just hours before her murder, a poignant reminder of her youth and potential, according to CBS News and SCMP.

Online reactions following Yousaf's murder have sparked outrage, with some social media comments suggesting her death was justified based on societal "honor" codes. This reflects a troubling trend in Pakistan, where violence against women is alarmingly prevalent, especially towards those who reject advances. Reports indicate that similar cases of violence for rejecting marriage proposals are not unusual, highlighting deep-seated issues in gender relations, as noted by BBC and CBS News.