Umar Hayat Sentenced to Death In Sana Yousaf's Murder Case

Islamabad court has sentenced prime suspect Umar Hayat to death for the premeditated murder of 17-year-old social media influencer Sana Yousaf. The verdict was announced on May 19, 2026, by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 million on the convict. In its written verdict, the court ruled that Umar Hayat did not “deserve leniency” due to the nature and seriousness of the crime.

Court Announces Death Sentence to Umar Hayat

Umar Hayat was convicted under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which deals with intentional murder, also known as qatl-i-amd. The court found him guilty of killing Sana Yousaf after reviewing the evidence, witness statements, and his earlier confession.

Under Section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the death sentence will now be sent to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for confirmation. A death sentence in Pakistan cannot be carried out unless it is confirmed by the high court.

The verdict has drawn major public attention as the case involved a young social media influencer and raised serious concerns about stalking, harassment, and violence against women.

Details of the Incident

The murder took place on June 2, 2025, at Sana Yousaf’s residence in Islamabad. According to the case details, Umar Hayat broke into her home and fired two fatal shots at her.

After the shooting, he stole Sana’s mobile phone and fled from the scene. The incident shocked the public, especially because Sana was only 17 years old and had a growing presence on social media.

Police reports stated that Hayat, a 23-year-old man from Faisalabad, had been stalking Sana before the murder. Investigators said he killed her because she repeatedly rejected his advances and refused his requests to meet. The case quickly became a symbol of growing concern over the safety of young women, especially those active on digital platforms.

Evidence Presented During Trial

Islamabad police used forensic, digital, and eyewitness evidence to identify and arrest Umar Hayat. The investigation included several key pieces of evidence, such as:

• Fingerprints found on the glass at the crime scene
• Security camera footage from the area
• Mobile phone location data
• Eyewitness testimony from Sana Yousaf’s aunt

These findings helped investigators link Hayat to the crime and build the prosecution’s case against him.

During the investigation, Hayat also recorded a confessional statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC. In that statement, he admitted to killing Sana Yousaf. However, he later retracted the confession during the trial.

The court ruled that the earlier confession was admissible and considered it along with the other evidence presented in the case.

Public Reaction and Legal Process

Sana Yousaf’s murder sparked strong reactions across Pakistan. Social media users, civil society members, and activists demanded justice and called for stronger action against stalking and harassment.

The court’s decision has been seen by many as an important development in the case. However, the legal process is not yet complete, as the Islamabad High Court must still confirm the death sentence.

The case continues to highlight the urgent need for better protection, faster response to harassment complaints, and stronger enforcement of laws against violence targeting women and young girls.