Sana Yousaf’s ‘murderer’ pleads innocence as court frames charges

An Islamabad court on Saturday indicted suspect Umar Hayat for the murder of teenage social media influencer Sana Yousaf.

Yousaf, a 17-year-old TikToker with over a million followers, was shot dead at her home in Sector G-13/1 on June 2, 2025. Hayat, who also uses TikTok and is known by the nickname “Kaka,” was subsequently arrested for alleged involvement in the murder.

Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal read out charges to the accused, who pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case.

“Did you murder Sana Yousaf?” the judge asked during the hearing. “I have not committed any such crime; these are false allegations,” Hayat responded. He also denied claims of taking the victim’s mobile phone, insisting the case was fabricated.

The court adjourned the cae until September 25 when it will start recording statements of prosecution witnesses.

Also Read: Sana Yousaf's 'murderer' confesses to crime in court

According to the prosecution, the victim’s father was at work and her mother was shopping at the time of the shooting, while her younger brother was in Chitral with relatives.

Her aunt, who was home during the incident, told police that the suspect had come to see Sana and that the two spoke briefly before she heard her niece say: “Go away, there are cameras here. I’ll bring you some water.” Moments later, gunshots rang out, striking Sana twice in the chest.

Police registered a case under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code at Sumbal police station.