Islamabad sessions court on Monday sentenced Umar Hayat, the main accused in the Sana Yousaf murder case, to death over the killing of 17 year old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf.
Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka announced the verdict, awarding Hayat the death sentence along with 10 years imprisonment and a Rs2 million fine.
The case gained nationwide attention after Sana Yousaf was shot dead inside her home in Islamabad on June 2, 2025. Her killing sparked widespread outrage on social media and renewed concerns over women’s safety in Pakistan.
Accused Retracted Confessional Statement
During Monday’s hearing, Umar Hayat withdrew his earlier confessional statement in which he had admitted to murdering Sana Yousaf.
Read more: Prime Suspect Confesses in TikToker Sana Yousaf Murder Case
Related: TikToker Sana Yousuf Shot Dead Outside Islamabad Home
In a statement recorded under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Hayat claimed he had been falsely implicated in the case. He insisted that investigators wrongly accused him and denied involvement in the murder.
Hayat, who is the son of a retired government official and also a TikToker, had previously confessed to the crime before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code in July 2025.
In that confession, he had explained the motive behind the murder, described how he carried out the attack, and detailed his escape plan. He had also disclosed where he disposed of the murder weapon after the crime.
According to the confession, Hayat developed a one sided obsession with Sana Yousaf following online interactions. He stated that jealousy and suspicion eventually drove him to commit the murder.
Islamabad Police Arrested Suspect From Faisalabad
Islamabad Police arrested Umar Hayat from Faisalabad a day after the murder.
Islamabad Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi had earlier described the case as one involving “repeated rejections,” indicating that the accused allegedly targeted Sana after facing rejection.
Police investigations revealed that the accused entered Sana’s house before opening fire on her at close range. Authorities later recovered evidence and formally registered the murder case against him.
The court indicted Hayat on September 20, 2025, but he denied all charges during the proceedings.
Sana Yousaf’s Killing Sparked National Debate
Sana Yousaf had more than one million followers across social media platforms and was widely known for posting videos related to cafés, skincare routines, fashion, and traditional outfits.
Her murder triggered strong reactions from rights activists, social media users, and public figures across the country. Many demanded stricter measures to protect women, especially female content creators facing harassment and threats online.
The verdict now marks a major development in one of Pakistan’s most widely discussed criminal cases of recent years.
