First Lady and Member of the National Assembly, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, has strongly condemned the horrific murder of 16-year-old Sana Yousuf in Islamabad, who was killed on the eve of her 17th birthday.

In her heartfelt statement, Aseefa called the incident a painful reminder of the violence women and girls continue to face simply for asserting their rights. She offered her deepest condolences to Sana’s family, community, and all those mourning this tragedy.

“Sana Yousuf had the right to dream, to grow, and to build a bright future,” Aseefa stated. “She deserved a life of freedom and safety. What happened to her was not just a violent act — it was punishment for saying ‘no.’ And that should shame us all.”

She emphasized that violence rooted in patriarchal mindsets is neither new nor rare, but it can no longer be tolerated under the guise of culture or tradition. “The idea that a girl’s refusal is an insult, that her consent must be controlled — it’s outdated, it’s brutal, and it’s killing our daughters,” she said.

Referencing her mother, the late Benazir Bhutto, Aseefa added, “My mother broke down the walls of oppression with her strength. She wasn’t just a leader — she paved the way for millions of women as a social reformer. Today, it is our duty to keep those doors open for girls like Sana Yousuf.”

She also strongly condemned the character assassination of Sana that followed her death on social media. Addressing the disturbing trend of blaming victims for their own murders, Aseefa rejected the notion that a girl’s social media presence could justify her killing.

“No mobile app, no picture, no video — can ever justify murder,” she stated. “It’s deeply troubling that some are using Sana’s presence on TikTok to rationalize this crime. If this logic is accepted, does it mean millions of Pakistani girls are now at risk? This mindset is not only dangerous — it is inhumane.”

In a powerful message to girls across the country, Aseefa encouraged them to stay strong and refuse to be silenced:

“To every girl witnessing this: do not silence yourself. Every girl in Pakistan has the right to dream, to speak, and to live fearlessly. My sisters, don’t be afraid of what happened to Sana Yousuf — because if you step back, hate wins. But if we move forward together, we will build a Pakistan where daughters are celebrated for how they live, not mourned for how they die.”

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