ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued its detailed written judgment dismissing the review petition filed by convicted murderer Zahir Jaffer against his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case.
The 12-page judgment, authored by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, rejected Zahir Jaffer’s request to reconsider his death sentence and convert it into life imprisonment.
According to the judgment, Zahir Jaffer had sought a reduction in his punishment on the grounds that he was suffering from mental illness. However, the Supreme Court observed that he had failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify reconsideration of the earlier decision.
Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence
The court stated that the available record established the seriousness of the crime and that the circumstances surrounding the offence did not warrant any reduction in punishment.
The Supreme Court also explained that its jurisdiction in a review petition is limited. A review cannot be treated as an appeal or used to seek a complete re-examination of the case.
The decision means that Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence remains intact. He was originally sentenced to death by the trial court for the rape and murder of Noor Mukadam.
The Islamabad High Court later upheld the death sentence, while the Supreme Court also maintained the punishment before dismissing his review petition.
Court Highlights Protection of Women
The detailed judgment also discussed the importance of protecting women from violence and abuse.
The Supreme Court highlighted the respect and protection afforded to women under Islamic principles and observed that violence, abuse and insecurity against women are contrary to both Islamic teachings and the laws of the state.
The court stressed the importance of ensuring that serious crimes against women are dealt with in accordance with the law.
Noor Mukadam Murder Case
The murder of Noor Mukadam on July 20, 2021, shocked the country and triggered widespread public outrage.
Noor was murdered at a residence in Islamabad’s F-7 area on Eid-ul-Azha. Zahir Jaffer was identified as the main accused during the subsequent investigation.
The case received extensive public attention because of the brutality of the crime and sparked renewed debate over violence against women, women’s safety and the criminal justice system in Pakistan.
Investigators also examined communications between Zahir Jaffer and his parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, before and around the time of the incident.
The prosecution subsequently presented evidence before the trial court, which convicted Zahir Jaffer and awarded him the death penalty.
His conviction and sentence were challenged before higher courts, but the punishment was maintained.
With the Supreme Court now dismissing his review petition, the latest judgment leaves the death sentence unchanged and marks another major development in one of Pakistan’s most closely followed criminal cases.
