Islamabad High Court Rejects Suspect’s Petition in TikToker Sana Yusuf Murder Case

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has dismissed the petition filed by suspect Omar Hayat in the murder case of popular TikToker Sana Yusuf.

Justice Khadim Hussain Somro, in a written verdict, upheld the trial court’s proceedings, stating there was no legal flaw, irregularity, or jurisdictional error. The court confirmed that the suspect’s appearance via video link constituted a valid presence and that the judicial order sheets were accurate and authentic.

The verdict emphasized the trial court’s legal obligation to conduct daily hearings for the speedy resolution of cases under Article 10A of the Constitution, highlighting that the right to a prompt trial serves the broader public interest. The court also noted that lawyers are required to prioritize case proceedings over personal convenience and cautioned against making unverified allegations against judicial officers.

The petition had requested that witness statements recorded in the absence of the suspect and his lawyer be discarded and retaken, but the court rejected this plea. It further directed that if delays occur, the suspect should be provided with a government-appointed lawyer and warned against filing unsubstantiated claims against the trial court in the future.

Sana Yusuf, 17, was shot dead at her home in Islamabad on June 2 last year. The case was registered under Section 302 at Simble Police Station upon a request by her mother, Farzana Yusuf. Yusuf was a prominent social media influencer, with around 800,000 followers on TikTok and 500,000 on Instagram.