In a significant development in the murder case of social media influencer Sana Yousaf, the accused, Umar Hayat, withdrew his previous confession and described the killing as a “blind murder” during a hearing at an Islamabad court on Monday. Hayat, 22, who is also a TikTok content creator known as “Kaka,” denied all allegations against him and rejected any involvement in the crime.
The 17-year-old TikToker Sana Yousaf, who had amassed over a million followers across various platforms, was shot twice inside her home in Sector G-13/1 on June 2, 2025. Hayat had earlier confessed to the murder, claiming to be a friend of the victim. However, during his statement recorded under Section 342 before Judge Afzal Majoka, he denied ever visiting Yousaf’s residence or having any connection to the incident.
In the prior hearing on Friday, the investigation officer had informed the court that Hayat had confessed before a magistrate and provided key evidence related to the case. Contradicting this, Hayat alleged that the pressure from Yousaf’s followers on social media influenced the police, leading to his wrongful implication. He also claimed that his family was coerced by authorities into believing his guilt.
Hayat highlighted multiple flaws in the investigation, asserting that crucial evidence such as CCTV footage and witness testimonies were not properly presented in court. He further accused the police of implicating him under duress and stated no witnesses were produced to confirm the victim’s hospital admission. He criticized the legal process, saying his statements were recorded without his lawyers being present and denied charges including mobile phone theft.
Expressing distrust in the court and state counsel, Hayat maintained that he was falsely accused in a “planted case” and challenged the identification procedures, pointing out inconsistencies in the investigation timeline. He asserted that he was in Faisalabad at the time of the murder.
Hayat also contended that during the identification parade, he was singled out by being made to wear different clothing, unlike other accused individuals, and claimed that witnesses could confirm the unfairness of the process. He insisted his arrest was based solely on suspicion due to his and the victim’s popularity on TikTok.
He further alleged coercion at the police station, stating he was unaware of what was written on a blank paper after his thumb impression was taken. Disputing forensic and location evidence, he described it as inaccurate and inconsistent with the timeline of events, reiterating that all accusations against him were fabricated. The court was informed that he never confessed or provided any revelations about the murder.
During the proceedings, the defense counsel repeatedly demanded that the case be declared false and fabricated, leading the judge to intervene and caution against dictating the court’s approach. The hearing was subsequently adjourned until Tuesday.
