A district court in Islamabad on Wednesday approved a 14-day judicial remand for Umar Hayat, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf. The court also sanctioned a police request for the suspect’s identification parade.
Duty Magistrate Ahmed Shahzad issued the order during a hearing at the Islamabad District Court, where Umar Hayat was presented under tight security with a cloth covering his face. The suspect, currently facing murder charges filed at Sumbal Police Station, is accused of fatally shooting Sana Yousaf at her residence in Sector G-13 on June 2.
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The hearing saw a delay after Magistrate Shahzad expressed visible frustration over the absence of the district prosecutor. “Where are the prosecutors of my court?” he asked sternly. “Usually, the lawyers don’t even show up — but today, everyone seems to be here.”
When informed that the district prosecutor was on leave, a duty prosecutor attempted to represent the case. However, the magistrate refused to proceed without the designated prosecutor, stressing procedural integrity. “The case will only move forward once the district prosecutor is present,” he ruled, adjourning the session until further notice.
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Following the adjournment, police officials escorted the suspect back to the prison van.
The murder of Sana Yousaf sent shockwaves across the country. According to police reports, the young influencer — originally from Upper Chitral — was gunned down inside her home in Islamabad, allegedly by Umar Hayat, who fled the scene immediately after the act.
Police launched a swift investigation using CCTV footage, mobile data, and other technical tools. Within 24 hours, Hayat was arrested in Faisalabad. Law enforcement sources stated that the suspect confessed during initial interrogation and that the murder weapon, a pistol, was recovered from his possession.
Investigators believe the murder was premeditated. Umar reportedly had a history of contact with Sana and allegedly parked his motorcycle near her house on the day of the crime. CCTV footage captured him fleeing the scene on foot, a key piece of evidence that aided in his identification.
The case has attracted significant public attention and media coverage, with widespread demands for justice. Celebrities, civil society organizations, and women’s rights activists have condemned the murder as a reflection of the deep-rooted issues of gender-based violence and toxic entitlement in Pakistani society.
With the approval of the judicial remand and the upcoming identification parade, the legal proceedings are now formally underway. Authorities have assured that the investigation will be conducted transparently and that justice will be pursued without delay.
