ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad sessions court sentenced Umar Hayat, the main accused in the Sana Yousaf murder case, to death on Monday.
Hayat was arrested by the Islamabad Police a day after 17-year-old TikTok influencer Yousaf was shot dead in her house on June 2, 2025. The 23-year-old culprit was arrested from Faisalabad, with Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi terming it a case of “repeated rejections”.
Judge Afzal Majoka announced the verdict in the case today, handing Hayat a death sentence, in addition to 10 years of imprisonment and Rs2 million fine.
On Monday, Hayat — son of a retired government official and a TikToker himself — retracted his earlier confessional statement admitting to Yousaf’s murder.
In his statement made under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Hayat maintained he was falsely implicated in the case.
He repeatedly declined to answer questions in the absence of his lawyer, later recording his detailed statement with his counsel present.
Hayat was indicted by the court of Judge Majoka on September 20, where he had denied the charges against him.
In his confessional statement recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC in July 2025, Hayat had detailed the motive behind the killing, how the crime was committed, his escape plan, and where he disposed of the murder weapon.
He had admitted to developing a one-sided obsession with Yousaf after online interactions, and said jealousy and suspicion drove him to commit the crime.
However, in his recent statement, Hayat alleged that he was implicated due to public pressure generated on social media, as both he and Yousaf were well-known TikTokers.
He further claimed that he had never quarrelled with Yousaf, never requested to meet her and had had no contact with her.
Yousaf, a TikTok star with more than a million followers on social media platforms, was known for sharing videos of her favourite cafés, skincare routines, and traditional outfits.
Her killing drew nationwide condemnation and reignited debate over women’s safety in Pakistan.
This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.
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