Islamabad – An Islamabad court on June 20, 2025, extended the three‑day physical remand of Umar Hayat, the primary suspect in the murder of 17‑year‑old social media influencer Sana Yousaf, until June 23 .
Background
- Sana Yousaf, a popular TikToker and Instagram influencer, was shot dead inside her home in Sector G‑13, Islamabad, on June 2
- Umar Hayat, aged 22 and unemployed, was arrested on June 3 in Faisalabad, within 20 hours of the murder. Police allege he killed Sana after repeated romantic advances were rejected
Legal proceedings so far
- A 14‑day judicial remand at Adiala Jail was completed following an identification parade, where Sana’s mother and aunt positively identified the suspect.
- A four‑day physical remand was subsequently granted by Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Hafeez to facilitate further investigation and evidence recovery, notably the victim’s mobile phone and murder weapon.
Court update
- Upon the expiry of this remand, Police requested a seven‑day extension, citing ongoing efforts to recover Hayat’s own mobile phone.
- The court approved three additional days, ordering Hayat to be produced again on June 23.
Police details
- Authorities reported recovery of the vehicle used in the incident, and confirmed both the victim’s phone and the murder weapon were found in Hayat’s possession at arrest.
- Investigating Officer Mazhar Bashir Khan noted Hayat is “quite clever” and has not yet surrendered his personal phone, as reported by prosecutors in court.
Public reaction
- Sana’s death prompted national outrage, amplified by celebrities and political figures, including MNA Aseefa Zardari, who urged society “not to let them silence you”.
- A widespread social media campaign under #JusticeForSanaYousaf has emerged, advocating for strengthened protections for female content creators.
Next appearance: Umar Hayat to be brought before the court on June 23 for a forthcoming remand hearing.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
