Islamabad Court Reserves Verdict in TikToker Sana Yousuf Murder Case

An Islamabad District and Sessions Court on Monday sentenced Umar Hayat to death for the murder of 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka announced the verdict, also sentencing Hayat to an additional 10 years in prison and imposing a fine of Rs2 million.

The conviction follows a trial where Hayat gave conflicting statements. During a recent hearing, he had pleaded not guilty and retracted an earlier confession. However, Hayat, the son of a retired government official, had previously confessed before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code that he shot Yousaf. In that statement, he admitted to developing a one-sided obsession after online interactions and said jealousy drove him to commit the crime.

During the final arguments before the verdict was reserved, the prosecution presented screenshots of phone calls and chats between Hayat and the victim as key evidence. The complainant’s counsel concluded their arguments by demanding the death penalty for the accused.

Conversely, the defense counsel argued that Hayat had previously expressed no confidence in the State Counsel and the trial court. The lawyer informed the judge that two related petitions were pending before the Islamabad High Court, cautioning that a preconceived decision would be an injustice.

Despite his plea of not guilty and his claim of having no contact with Yousaf, the judge had confronted Hayat with forensic evidence. A mobile number saved under the name “Kaka” on the victim’s phone was traced directly to Hayat. When questioned in court about this evidence, the accused declined to answer without his lawyer present.