Seventeen-year-old Sana Yousaf was shot dead at her home on June 2, 2025, allegedly after repeatedly rejecting the advances of Umer Hayat, according to police. The accused was arrested within hours of the murder, and the case quickly drew nationwide attention, with widespread calls for justice for the teenager.
After nearly a year of legal proceedings, a sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday sentenced Hayat to death for the intentional murder of Sana Yousaf. The court also ordered him to pay Rs2.5 million in compensation to the victim’s family.
The verdict, however, will require confirmation from the Islamabad High Court before the sentence can be carried out. The decision was welcomed by many people across the country, who viewed it as an important step towards justice for Sana and her family.
