Islamabad court hands death sentence to Sana Yousaf’s killer

An Islamabad court has sentenced Umar Hayat, the main suspect in the murder of 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf, to death in a case that drew widespread attention across Pakistan. 

The verdict was announced by Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka following months of court proceedings.

According to court records, Umar Hayat, a TikToker and son of a government official had confessed to shooting Sana Yousaf. He made this confession before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CPC. 

In his earlier statement, he said he had talked to Sana Yousaf online and felt obsessed with her. He further said that he felt jealous and suspicious which made him kill her.

However, during recent proceedings before the trial court, Hayat retracted his confessional statement, denying the earlier claims made before the magistrate. Despite the retraction, the court proceeded with the case based on available evidence and testimonies presented during the trial.

The murder of Sana Yousaf sparked outrage on social media and renewed debate around online harassment, digital obsession, and violence against women in Pakistan. Supporters and activists had repeatedly called for swift justice in the high-profile case.

Authorities had arrested Umar Hayat shortly after the incident, with investigators stating that evidence collected during the inquiry linked him directly to the killing. The case remained under intense public scrutiny throughout the trial.