Zahir Jaffer asserts his innocence in Noor Muqaddam murder case
Prime accused says was under influence of drugs and learnt about Noor’s murder only after coming to his senses
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Again claiming his innocence, Zahir Jaffer, the prime accused in ex-Pakistan’s envoy’s daughter Noor Muqaddam murder case, on Monday told the court that on the day Noor was murdered, he had lost consciousness after consuming excessive drugs, and it was only after he came to senses that he learnt that she had passed away, reported 24News HD TV channel.
In a written statement submitted to the court, Zahir asserted that he and his friends were wrongly dragged into the case.
He confessed to his relationship with Noor, adding that she wanted to accompany him to the USA and barred him from taking a US-bound flight alone. “She had also sought help from her friends for the travelling expenses,” he said.
“We left for the airport in a taxi, but Noor asked the taxi driver to return to my home where she had invited her friends to a party. I could not prevent her from doing that,” he added.
The accused maintained that he had lost consciousness under the influence of drugs during the party, adding that when he came to senses he heard about Noor’s murder.
He stated that only because of his presence at the house that he and his parents were implicated in the case.
He claimed that the relatives of Shaukat Muqaddam, father of Noor Muqaddam, were also there at the house before the arrival of the police, but they were not interrogated.
“On July 20, 2021, the investigation officer obtained Noor’s call detail record (CDR) of only 10:45 am; therefore, it could not be determined who was invited to the party,” he stated.
Advocate Basharatullah, attorney for co-accused Zakir Jaffer, father of Zahir Jaffer, argued that police had unlawfully arrested Zakir as he was on interim bail.
He also pinpointed faults in the prosecution, alleging that the police had themselves forged the call detail record. He also questioned the production of call data by the prosecution after the submission of the challan on October 14, 2021.
After listening to the arguments of the attorney for Zakir Jaffer, the court summoned lawyers for other accused in the case on the next hearing. The court then adjourned the hearing till February 16.
Report: Ehtisham Kiyani