Court completes cross-examination of 25 witnesses in Sana Yousaf murder case

ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad court on Monday completed the cross-examination of 25 prosecution witnesses in the ongoing murder trial of TikToker Sana Yousaf.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka heard the case, with prosecutor Naveed Hussain and complainant’s counsel Sardar Qadeer appearing before the court.

The defence counsel completed the cross-examination of two additional witnesses, including the owner and driver of the vehicle allegedly used in the murder.

Sana Yousaf was killed at her residence in Islamabad’s Sector G-13 earlier last year.

The case sparked nationwide condemnation and received widespread media attention.

Following completion of the cross-examination of 25 witnesses, the court adjourned proceedings until May 12.

Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had rejected a plea to transfer the trial in the murder case of Sana Yousuf, directing that proceedings continue in the same court.

IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar dismissed a petition filed by the accused, Umar Hayat, who had expressed lack of confidence in the trial judge and sought a transfer of the case.

Sana Yousuf was shot dead at her residence in Islamabad’s Sector G-13 on June 2, 2025. Police had arrested the accused from Faisalabad within 20 hours of the incident and recovered the alleged murder weapon.

According to investigators, the accused had been attempting to contact the victim repeatedly and allegedly carried out the attack after she refused. Police also said the accused later confessed to the crime in a statement recorded under Section 164.

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