ISLAMABAD – A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad handed death sentence to Umar Hayat in the high-profile murder case of TikTokers Sana Yousaf. The court imposed multiple additional penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and compensation to the victim’s family, bringing a formal legal conclusion to a case that has drawn widespread public attention.
Murder: 2 June 2025
The case dates back to early June 2025, when Sana Yousaf was shot inside her home in Islamabad. According to police accounts and family statements, the attacker entered the residence and fired multiple shots, hitting her twice in the chest. She later succumbed to her injuries.
At the time of the incident, Sana’s mother had briefly gone out to the market, while no male family member was present in the house. A relative initially alerted others after noticing an intruder, believing at first that a robbery had taken place. Family members rushed to the room and found Sana critically injured.
Attack and Escape
Umar Hayat entered the house after allegedly waiting outside for several hours. Reports indicate he had been present near the residence for nearly 7–8 hours before the attack, attempting to meet Sana multiple times.
Police further allege that he went directly into her room and opened fire. After the shooting, he fled the scene. A family member also stated that the attacker pointed a weapon at an aunt during the escape, although the firearm did not discharge.
Arrest and Recovery of Evidence
Two days after the incident, police arrested Umar Hayat from Faisalabad. Authorities claimed to have recovered both the alleged murder weapon and Sana Yousaf’s mobile phone from his possession.
Investigators described the recovery of the phone as a key breakthrough, stating that digital evidence helped establish contact links between the accused and the victim.
Investigation
Police called the case as one driven by what they termed “friendship rejection,” alleging that the suspect had been trying to contact Sana Yousaf through social media for an extended period.
Investigators further claimed that Umar Hayat had repeatedly attempted to meet her, including on the day of the incident. According to their account, he became frustrated after continued refusal, which ultimately escalated into violence. The prosecution presented 27 witnesses during the trial, including two key eyewitnesses: the victim’s mother, Farzana Yousaf, and her aunt, Latifa Shah. Both testified regarding the aftermath of the incident and identification procedures.
Medical evidence presented in court confirmed that Sana Yousaf suffered serious gunshot injuries consistent with an intentional attack.
Confession
Umar Hayat’s confession was recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. In the statement, he allegedly acknowledged repeated attempts to meet Sana Yousaf and expressed anger over being repeatedly refused.
Investigators also pointed to data retrieved from the victim’s mobile phone, claiming it contained contact traces linked to the accused. Prosecutors argued that this supported the narrative of persistent contact attempts and an attempt to conceal or manage communication evidence.
Courtroom Proceedings
During final arguments, the prosecution sought the death penalty, emphasizing eyewitness testimony, forensic findings, and the recorded confession as strong evidence of guilt.
The defence, however, argued that the accused was entitled to a fair trial and urged the court not to be influenced by public sentiment. Defence counsel also objected to what they described as pre-judgment of the case and cautioned against turning the trial into a broader social debate.
At one stage, the presiding judge, Afzal Majoka, reprimanded the defence lawyer for making statements resembling media commentary inside the courtroom and warned against attempts to mislead the proceedings.
Verdict on May 19, 2026
After hearing all arguments and reviewing the evidence, the Islamabad court sentenced Umar Hayat to death for the murder of Sana Yousaf.
In addition to capital punishment, the court handed down 21 years of rigorous imprisonment for other offences, including robbery-related charges. The accused was also ordered to pay Rs 2 million in compensation to the victim’s family and was fined an additional Rs 500,000 under various legal provisions.
The verdict was announced in open court in the presence of the accused, marking the conclusion of a case that has remained in the national spotlight since the killing in June 2025.
Who was Sana Yousaf?
Sana Yousaf, originally from Chitral in KP, was living in Islamabad with her family and was active on social media platforms. On the day of her death, a birthday video featuring her was posted on her Instagram account, showing her celebrating with friends—an image that later became widely circulated in the aftermath of the tragedy.
While the court’s verdict provides legal closure, the case continues to raise broader concerns about digital harassment, online interactions turning violent, and the risks faced by young social media personalities in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital space.
