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04 Jun, 2025

Ayeza Khan is drawing a lot of flak online for an ill-timed post about the perils of social media shared soon after the murder of Sana Yousaf, the 17-year-old girl who was killed in Islamabad on Monday by a man who couldn’t take no for an answer.

Sana, who had a large fan following on social media, was gunned down in her home by a man the police say she rejected multiple times.

As news broke of Sana’s murder, there were outpourings of grief online from netizens as well as celebrities, but one message from a celebrity stood out — that of Ayeza Khan.

Khan’s message was not an outpouring of grief or even a condolence. It was a note on the “pros and cons of social media”. She called on people to keep their personal details private and to “take responsibility for what we share”.

Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a controversial statement, but that she posted this soon after a young girl with a large online following was shot dead was in bad taste. The implication is that Sana was somehow responsible for what happened to her due to a cyber-security lapse and that is simply untrue.

Khan also drew criticism for failing to post about the war on Gaza and her ‘apology’ wasn’t well received either. Her post during the recent escalation in tensions between Pakistan and India also had people shaking their heads. Safe to say, netizens weren’t all that surprised about her recent post.

They did, however, want her to read the room and realise this was not the time for posts about internet safety.

There were lots of comparisons with other far more sensible and eloquent celebrities’ posts. This user was referencing a post shared by Asim Azhar in which he wrote, “A little girl lost her life for not saying yes. So, so, so angry and frustrated at a part our society that sadly still exists.”

Another user compared Khan’s post to that of Mawra Hocane, who highlighted toxic dramas and the role they play in perpetuating bad behaviour.

Of course, people also pointed out that Khan’s ‘helpful tips’ don’t stand a chance against “a man who thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it”.

Some users pointed out that victim blaming was the latest in a long line of things Khan has done, including “always support[ing] the patriarchy and toxic masculinity”.

People highlighted that Khan a major star in Pakistan — she’s one of the most-followed celebrities in the country — and is essentially blaming the victim for sharing too much online.

Khan and her “lecture about social media” weren’t the only ones to come under fire — her husband Danish Taimoor and his history of playing deeply toxic characters that perpetuate violence against women were also highlighted. In fact, his latest drama Mann Mast Malang has several deeply problematic tropes, including Taimoor’s character tying up his wife to make sure she doesn’t leave him.

Given what everyone is saying online, we hope she’ll get the hint.

Comments

Rizwan Jun 04, 2025 06:30pm
I see absolutely nothing wrong with Ayeza Khan's post and it's timing. In fact it is the right time to talk about perils of social media. People need to grow some spine and not be snow flakes and be offended by basically anything.
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Ahmed Jun 04, 2025 06:36pm
But she has a point though. No one should share too much on social media. Maybe a prayer along with this would've been appropriate. But what she has said is relevant. Previously some one said that Rida Hussia was correct in her opinions as she was a highly respected person in her field. Well so is Ayeza. So now either step up and accept it or step aside .
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VoiceOfReason Jun 04, 2025 07:51pm
Have people in Pakistan lost their minds? All She posted are safe practices on social media. what is wrong with that?
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Sana Jun 04, 2025 08:19pm
No! Dawn is cherry picking on what the internet is saying; whether you agree with her or not, allow for her views to be shared. BTW I totally agree what she is saying and also the timing of it. Am I part of YOUR internet?
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Nas Tahir Jun 04, 2025 08:47pm
Truth has always been hard to digest. She isn't blaming the victim, she just wants no more such pain is inflicted on young souls,their parents and public at large.
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Dr Imran Ahmed Jun 04, 2025 08:51pm
For contemptible people blaming the victim is a go to response whenever they witness injustice or tragedy.
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Iqbal Aswani Jun 04, 2025 08:57pm
She is absolutely right and opposers are liberal looser.
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Hasni, Syed Jun 04, 2025 08:58pm
It's disheartening to see a public figure like Ayeza Khan miss the mark with her post, especially in the wake of such a tragic event like the murder of Sana Yousaf. In moments of grief and outrage, sensitivity is key. The internet is right to call for awareness; discussions about social media's role can wait until we honor the memory of those lost and support their loved ones. It’s a reminder that while celebrities have a platform, they also have a responsibility to use it thoughtfully, particularly when the community is in mourning.
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Bilal Jun 04, 2025 09:02pm
She is right. Your job is to keep yourself safe. She never said the victim was at fault, but rather that everyone should take precautionary steps to protect themselves. Of course, the perpetrator should be brought to justice. Senseless article
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M. Saeed Jun 04, 2025 11:02pm
Let us understand that, celebrities are just ordinary humans and do not become intellectuals with popularity. Besides, in urgency to post views early, they often forget the seratum of their posts.
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Laila Jun 04, 2025 11:06pm
Of course she is tone deaf. She is Ayeza Khan, The nodding puppet and filhaal wife, of equally tone deaf and dumb Danish Taimoor. They pair isn't exactly known for using their braincells. They are ditzy actors who made it. Don't worship or look up to celebrities. Most people in Pakistan educated, celebrities or not, are oblivious to the dangers in Pakistan. It was also patriarchy, misogyny, lack of education and of course corruption, the one thing that enables the systematic, legal, social and moral failure of this bankrupt society. Even without social media girls were being killed for refusing to follow family ways, refusing forced marriages, romantic advances, proposals, being independent, wanting divorce etc. It was always there.
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Kashif Urfan Jun 05, 2025 06:32am
What she wrote was right. Social media is dangerous. Don't flaunt yourself on it.
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Appalled Jun 05, 2025 06:39am
When dumb married dumbest , the offspring showed the math. This husband and wife duo deserve each other . All these cosmetic surgeries couldn’t hide how ugly they are and completely rotten from inside .
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Surikay Jun 05, 2025 08:23am
Ayeza Khan is right in saying that social media is the big danger for today's youngsters. They are lured by seeing their name , pic on the media and hence tend to post absurd things to be featured. Most importantly, there is an attention deficit disorder that is created in them.
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Taimur Jun 05, 2025 08:37am
Thing is Ayeza Khan is being honest, the others are just increasing their following
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Usman Jun 05, 2025 08:38am
I personally feel what Ayeza Khan has said is totally correct. If I had a daughter I would give her the same advice. This advice is followed by celebrities all over the world, even in western societies celebrities don't give out their personal information like phone number or address online. No one is victim blaming here.
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Reality Jun 05, 2025 11:46am
There nothing wrong in what she said..for some ppl timing may be the issue...but truth is bitter anyways...no point in being too diplomatic like some Hope the culprit gets the same treatment as prev case
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jun 05, 2025 12:33pm
Be careful about what you write especially on social media.
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Laila Jun 05, 2025 05:01pm
People like her claiming social media is dangerous are equally mentally challenged. That's the majority, unfortunately. Its interesting, that social media does not cause murders of males by psychopathic females? Victims of gender based and honor killings are and always were by far female. In Pakistan females were being murdered before social media. But how can poor ignorant AK and awaam understand this. Denial is better.
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Laila Jun 05, 2025 05:07pm
She is absolutely wrong. And those who impose are of course backwards misogynists. This is a textbook example of victimblaming and shaming.
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Laila Jun 05, 2025 05:17pm
@Usman But this was not a case handing out her personal contact details. This was a case of a girl posting lip sync videos on tik tok and a guy refusing to take no for an answer. This is pakistan. Finding out where people live is easy. He turned up at het house, forced his way through and gunned her down after she refused to accept his advances repeatedly. In January 2025 Hina Anwar was murdered by her own father, who objected to her posting tik tok videos. How many cases do you want me to mention before you will understand this is misogyny, victim blaming and Ayeza Khan is in fact wrong.
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Laila Jun 05, 2025 05:24pm
Law: you can not kill people because they reject you or you dislike them. Murder is a crime. Pakistani awaam: welllllll, except if you are a girl, then its ok. She is responsible. A no means a yes. She shouldn't have been on tik tok. Honor killings are totally ok. A woman's body is the choice and will of men. She has no say in her own life.
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Jabeen Jun 06, 2025 01:07am
Shame on you for shaming Ayeza khan, you're trying so hard to make a completely sensible approach in aftermath of an incident sound absurd. Do you not want the girls to take heed? Are you upset that young girls and their parents will take precautions and protection more seriously?? Are you concerned that you won't have access to young girls' private lives anymore??? And no, posting 20 comments does not count as voice of Pakistan or of pakistani netizens.
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Laila Jun 06, 2025 01:58pm
@Jabeen Nope, shame on Ayeza Khan for being tone deaf and talking about digital safety rather than addressing the misogyny underlying this murder. Tell me, if you came home to find your teen daughter brutally gunned down in her safe space, by a guy who came armed with a gun refusing to accept her unwillingness to pursue "friendship" with him, do you think a lecture on digital safety is, what you'd need? How's that even relevant? About 500k followed her, only 1 turned up at her house with a gun. Your emphasis on wanting precautions and protection - only for girls, only girls should pay heed, simply shows why you are part of the problem. Hello, internalised misogyny. It was not an "incident". It was a brutal murder, premeditated and misogynistic. Takes place every day in Pakistan. Let's talk about THAT! She was in the privacy AND safety of her gated own home with her aunt. Not sure what else you want. She didn't pursue him. He was the one who should have been paying heed. He is the one, his parents should have taken precautions for and protected the world from. He is the danger. He is the one who should have not have had access to guns or internet. He is the one who should have been taught to know a NO means a NO and no girl owes him anything. He should have been raised to not harass females online and not turn up at their houses and not force himself inside private property (it is criminal to break an entry). Her last words to him, recorded, were asking him politely to leave. Then he shot her. Make it make sense.
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Laila Jun 06, 2025 02:09pm
Ayeza is an actress. Her field of expertise and knowledge is acting, show biz and dramas, so she should comment on that. Ms Rida Hosain is an advocate and barrister of law in high court and her field of expertise is Pakistani law, so she aptly commented on the Noor Muqadam case. Ayeza is neither a lawyer nor womens rights, social right or human rights expert nor police nor an anthropologist. She has no clue nor credentials. The two are not comparable. Ayeza remains tone deaf of what's happening in Pakistan. Like majority.
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Laila Jun 06, 2025 03:48pm
@Reality Except she is wrong. Nevertheless, in the previous case, the culprit, Zahir Jaffar, is getting away with it. Delaying the system with for 4 years. Still no execution. Still alive. In Pakistans culprits walk free. This guy, Umar Hayat, will too. So the message is clear. Do whatever you wish to females. There is no penalty, no consequence. Rich or not, males walk free. They are just waiting or the outrage to fade. Then he will back to harassing females online and posing with his gun, car on his social media. He has massive support online. Just go and read comments on social media.
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