Zahir Jaffer awarded death sentence for murdering Noor Mukadam

After seven months, at last, justice was done in the murder case of Noor Mukadam, daughter of ex-Pakistan’s envoy Shaukat Mukadam, as a court in Islamabad on Thursday handed down death penalty to main accused Zahir Jaffer besides imposing Rs0.5 million in fine on him, but acquitted his both parents Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamji, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

The sessions court also acquitted Zakir’s cook Jameel and Therapy Works owner Tahir Zahoor and five other employees, but announced 10-year prison terms for Jan Muhammad (the gardener) and Iftikhar (guard), co-accused in the case, besides slapping Rs0.3 million in fine on each of them.

Zahir was awarded penalties under other sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) as well: he was sentenced to 10 years in jail and fined Rs0.1 million for keeping Noor in illegal confinement; 25 years in jail and fined Rs0.2 million for raping her, and one-year in jail under section 342.  

As soon as the court announced capital punishment for the main accused, those present inside the courtroom shouted Allah-o-Akbar aloud while the Therapy Works staffers’ happiness knew no bounds who, with tears in their eyes, hugged each other   

The trial continued for four months and eight days. 

Speaking to the media after the court gave its verdict, Shaukat Mukadam, father of Noor Mukadam, said this was not his daughter’s case, but of entire Pakistan’s case. “My daughter is gone. But I wish others in Pakistan don’t meet the same fate,” he remarked. 

“Today’s decision will become a judicial precedent and serve as a deterrent against such crimes in future,” he hoped. 

He thanked all those who supported the proceedings of the case throughout. 

Maryam Nawaz tweets on court’s verdict

Later commenting on court’s verdict in former Pakistan’s envoy’s daughter murder case, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz said although stains, which the collective human conscience received from Noor’s horrific murder would perhaps never be erased, but today’s decision was a reminder for the beasts disguised as humans that there could be serious consequences for such crimes.

Zahir Jaffer’s crimes were not only confined to rape & murder but the fact that he used his money and influence to assail the credibility of the victim. This perhaps is the only crime where the victim becomes the accused. Rest in peace Noor. https://t.co/SCN7BdLAPA

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 24, 2022

Fawad Ch commends police, prosecution

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, while welcoming the court’s verdict in Noor’s murder case, hailed the police’s and prosecution’s performance, saying they both performed their duties. “The sessions court gave the decision in just four months. This is the kind of justice the people of Pakistan expect from their judges. It is hoped that those responsible for providing justice will come up to the expectations of people in future also and there will be ‘rule of law’ in the country in true letter and spirit,” he said in a tweet. 

نور مقدم کیس میں پولیس اور پراسیکیوشن نے ذمہ داری پوری کی اور عدالت نے چار ماہ میں فیصلہ ۔۔۔۔ یہ ہے وہ انصاف جس کی توقع پاکستانی عوام کرتے ہیں امید ہے انصاف سے جڑے ادارے عوام کی توقعات پر پورا اتریں گے اور رول آف لاء نافذ ہو گا

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 24, 2022

Noor had been murdered by Zahir in sector F-7 of Islamabad on July 20, 2021 reportedly when the former refused to marry him. 

A first information report (FIR) was registered the same day against Zahir Jaffer — the primary accused who was arrested from the site of the murder — under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the complaint of the victim's father, Shaukat Mukadam, who is a retired diplomat.

Reporters Ihtesham Kiani and Usman Javed