DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Alliance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an organization working to violence against women and girls, has strongly condemned the brutal murder of Sana Yousaf in Islamabad, a young student and popular TikTok creator from Chitral, calling it a heartbreaking example of the growing trend of gender-based violence in Pakistan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Alliance expressed deep outrage and sorrow over Sana’s killing, emphasizing that this was not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of violence targeting women who assert their identity or visibility in public and digital spaces.
“This tragic act reflects the dangerous conditions women face daily, particularly those who are active in public life or use digital platforms to express themselves,” the statement read. The Alliance paid tribute to the Islamabad Police for the swift arrest of the accused and urged other law enforcement agencies across the country to follow suit. “Prompt arrests, professional investigations, and a zero-tolerance policy toward violence against women are crucial to restoring public confidence and ensuring the safety of women,” the statement said.
The Alliance also called on the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and provincial commissions to launch a comprehensive research study into the root causes of gender-based violence, particularly against women active in the public sphere and online.
It emphasized the need for data-driven strategies to prevent future tragedies and promote meaningful policy reforms. The Alliance further demanded immediate and concrete government action, including, legislative reforms to address gender-based violence and strengthening protection mechanisms for women and police reform to improve responsiveness and accountability, public awareness campaigns to challenge so-called honor-based violence and misogynistic narratives in society
It also urged media outlets and digital platforms to act responsibly in their coverage of such incidents. “Avoid sensationalism and protect the dignity and privacy of affected women and their families. The media has a critical role to play in shaping public attitudes and must avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes,” the Alliance stated.
The Alliance demanded that all cases of violence against women be handled swiftly and seriously, and that no perpetrator be allowed to escape justice.
