Pakistani court grants four-day remand of suspect in murder of TikTok star Sana Yousaf

A Pakistani court granted a four-day physical remand on Monday of the man accused of killing 17-year-old content creator Sana Yousaf, whose murder shocked her millions of online followers and reignited calls for better protections for women and digital influencers in the country.

The accused, 22-year-old Umar Hayat, was produced before a judicial magistrate in Islamabad, where the prosecution sought a seven-day remand to recover his mobile phone, obtain details about the car allegedly used in the crime, and continue the investigation.

Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain informed the court that Hayat had already been identified by Yousaf’s family members in an identification parade conducted at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

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Judge M. Hafeez granted a four-day remand and ordered that Hayat be produced again on June 20.

“For the purpose of completion of investigation and recovery, four days’ physical remand is granted,” the judge wrote in the order. “As per the request of the accused, the investigating officer is directed to get him medically examined from the concerned quarter.”

During the hearing, the judge asked about legal representation for the accused. Prosecutors said Hayat had no lawyer at present.

When asked directly, Hayat told the court, “Perhaps, my family has arranged counsel for me, but I don’t have any contact with them.” He added that he had already handed over his phone and other details to the police and requested a medical examination.

What’s the case?

The murder of Yousaf, a rising TikTok and Instagram personality, drew national attention earlier this month.

She was killed on June 2 at her family home in Islamabad’s G-13 neighborhood. According to the police report, a man dressed in black entered the home around 5 p.m., went directly to Yousaf’s room, and opened fire.

Her mother told police that the gunman fired with the intent to kill. Two bullets struck Yousaf in the chest.

Neighbors, alerted by the sound of gunfire, rushed to help and transported her to a hospital. Despite their efforts, she died from her injuries.

Hayat was arrested in Faisalabad within 20 hours of the shooting. Police say he had been obsessively pursuing Yousaf and allegedly became violent after she repeatedly rejected his advances.

Investigators earlier obtained a 14-day remand for the purpose of conducting identification procedures, which led to his recognition by the victim’s family.

Rising star

Yousaf had nearly 800,000 followers on TikTok and close to half a million on Instagram. A medical student, she shared lighthearted videos of her study routines and everyday life, drawing a young, loyal fan base.

Her father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, told Nuktain a phone interview that the family had no known enemies and no reason to suspect anyone prior to the attack.

“We are shattered,” he said. “She was just a girl chasing her dreams.”

The case has sparked renewed outrage on social media, with users demanding stricter laws to protect women and public figures from harassment and violence.

Hayat remains in police custody and is expected to be presented in court later this week as investigation continues.