Umar Hayat death sentence

Islamabad court on Tuesday sentenced Umar Hayat to death in the high profile Sana Yousaf murder case. The verdict came months after the brutal killing of 17 year old TikToker Sana Yousaf in Islamabad’s Sector G 13 shocked the country and sparked widespread outrage on social media. Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka announced the decision after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. The court found Hayat guilty of murdering Sana Yousaf and ordered capital punishment. The case remained in the spotlight throughout the trial due to the victim’s popularity on TikTok and growing public pressure for justice. Many social media users had closely followed court proceedings since the murder took place in June 2025. Accused Rejected Confessional Statement A day before the verdict, Umar Hayat refused to accept his confessional statement recorded before a magistrate. During Monday’s hearing, he claimed that he did not even know what a confessional statement meant. Hayat alleged that police officials had falsely implicated him in the case under pressure from Sana Yousaf’s TikTok followers. He argued before the court that investigators failed to produce concrete evidence linking him to the murder. While recording his statement, the accused claimed that police officers forcibly took him to the police station and tortured him. He further alleged that officials forced him to sign seven blank pages. Hayat also denied being present in Sector G 13 on the day of the murder. He insisted that he had never visited the area when the crime took place. Murder Shocked Islamabad The Sana Yousaf murder case gained national attention after the teenage TikToker was shot dead inside her home in Islamabad. According to investigators, the attacker entered the house, opened fire at close range, and escaped immediately after the incident. Police said Sana suffered fatal gunshot wounds during the attack. Rescue teams shifted her body for post mortem examination while investigators launched a manhunt to arrest the suspect. Authorities later registered a murder case against Umar Hayat at Sumbal Police Station. Police accused him of killing Sana and snatching her mobile phone before fleeing the scene. The murder triggered strong reactions across Pakistan. Social media users demanded swift action and called for strict punishment for those involved in crimes against women and content creators. Trial Continued for Several Months Court proceedings in the Sana Yousaf murder case continued for several months. Prosecutors presented evidence, witness testimonies, and investigation records during the hearings. In September, Umar Hayat formally denied all charges and pleaded not guilty before the court. His legal team repeatedly argued that police investigations contained irregularities and lacked solid proof. However, prosecutors maintained that evidence collected during the investigation clearly established Hayat’s involvement in the murder. They urged the court to award maximum punishment considering the seriousness of the crime. The court ultimately ruled in favor of the prosecution and announced the death sentence on Tuesday. Public Reaction After Verdict The verdict received strong reactions online soon after the announcement. Many social media users welcomed the court’s decision and described it as an important step toward justice for Sana Yousaf and her family. Rights activists also renewed calls for stronger protection of women and young social media personalities facing harassment and threats. Several users said the case highlighted growing concerns regarding violence against women in Pakistan. The Sana Yousaf murder case remained one of the most widely discussed criminal cases in the country over the past year. The judgment now marks a major development in a case that drew nationwide attention and emotional public response.