An Islamabad sessions court handed down a death sentence to the main accused, Umar Hayat, in the murder case of TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf. Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka announced the reserved judgment, also imposing a fine of Rs2 million on the convict.
The Sentence in Detail
In a two-page short order, the convict was handed 10 years’ imprisonment and a Rs200,000 fine under Section 392. The court further sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment and a Rs200,000 fine under Section 499, while another one-year imprisonment and Rs100,000 fine were imposed under Section 411.
Background of the Case
Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old social media influencer, was shot dead inside her house in Islamabad on June 2, 2025. Umar Hayat was arrested a day after the murder in Faisalabad. The Islamabad IG termed it a case of “repeated rejections.”
Hayat, son of a retired government official and a TikToker himself, had confessed before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC that he shot Sana. In his previous statement, he admitted to developing a one-sided obsession with Yousaf after online interactions, saying jealousy and suspicion drove him to commit the crime.
Retraction Before Verdict
During the hearing the day before the verdict, Hayat retracted his earlier confessional statement, claiming he did not even know Sana and alleging the police had falsely implicated him under pressure from her TikTok followers. He also claimed that police had tortured him to sign a blank seven-page document and that he had never even visited Sector G-13 on the day of the murder. Despite the retraction, the court proceeded to announce its judgment, sentencing him to death.
Victim’s Family Reaction
The victim’s father said the sentence was delivered in line with justice, while the victim’s mother praised the lawyers for presenting a strong case. Speaking to the media after the court verdict, her father said, “This justice is not only for me but for the entire society.” He thanked the legal team and the media for their support in bringing the case to its logical conclusion. His emotional statement reflects the deep pain and anger of the family.
Sana Yousaf’s mother also expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. “I am very happy with the verdict. May such justice continue to be delivered in Pakistan. The criminal has received the right punishment,” she said. She further demanded that the convict should be hanged publicly so that it would serve as a lesson for others.
Actor Asim Mehmood took to social media and said, “Such people should not only get the death sentence but should be tortured before being killed.”
W
Yousaf, a TikTok star with more than a million followers, 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.
