Sana Yousaf Murder Accused Retracts Confession In Court

The murder trial of teenage TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf took a major turn in Islamabad on Monday after the prime accused, Umar Hayat, withdrew from his earlier confessional statement and told the trial court that he had been falsely implicated. The development has renewed public attention on a case that had already triggered national outrage over violence against women and the dangers faced by young social media personalities.

Hayat, himself known on social platforms, had previously recorded a confessional statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. In that earlier statement, he had admitted to killing the 17-year-old influencer, but during Monday’s proceedings he denied the allegations while recording his statement under Section 342 of the CrPC.

The court proceedings were conducted before Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka, where public prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani appeared for the prosecution. At the beginning of questioning, the accused repeatedly refused to answer several questions in the absence of his lawyer, including questions linked to his age, the rented vehicle and his alleged presence at the victim’s home.

After the defence counsel arrived, Hayat recorded a detailed statement and denied any connection with the case. He claimed that he had not rented a vehicle, had not travelled to Islamabad on the date of the incident and had not visited Sana Yousaf’s residence. He also alleged that the rental agreement relied upon by investigators was fabricated to strengthen the prosecution’s case.

The accused further claimed that he was arrested from his home in Jaranwala on suspicion and later shown to the victim’s family at the police station. He alleged that police filmed him while in custody and circulated the footage on social media, arguing that public pressure around the case had influenced the investigation.

During the hearing, the court also became concerned after it was noticed that a video was allegedly being recorded inside the courtroom with the accused present. The judge directed that the mobile phone be handed over and the footage deleted, warning that any circulation of such material could amount to misconduct.

Hayat also denied that the pistol allegedly recovered from him belonged to him and questioned the identification parade, claiming irregularities in how it was conducted. He maintained that he had been pressured in custody, forced to sign blank pages and made to confess under coercion, while also denying that the earlier statement before the magistrate reflected his own voluntary admission.

Sana Yousaf was widely followed online and was known for posting lifestyle content, including videos about cafés, skincare and traditional clothing. Her killing in Islamabad in June 2025 prompted widespread condemnation and became a symbol of growing concern over online harassment, obsession, gender-based violence and the vulnerability of women in public digital spaces.

The case now moves into a more contested phase because the defence has directly challenged the prosecution’s narrative and the earlier confession. The court will have to assess the evidentiary record, witness statements, forensic material, alleged recovery evidence and the validity of the disputed confession before reaching a final conclusion.

For Pakistan, the trial remains significant beyond one courtroom because it reflects the intersection of social media fame, public pressure, women’s safety and criminal justice. The next hearings will determine whether the prosecution can sustain its case after the retraction or whether the defence’s claims of false implication and flawed investigation gain further legal weight.