ISLAMABAD: In a significant development in the high-profile Noor Mukadam case, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the death sentence of convicted murderer Zahir Jaffer after dismissing his review petition. The decision marks another major milestone in one of Pakistan’s most widely followed criminal cases.
The verdict was announced by a three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar following detailed arguments presented by both sides. During the hearing, Zahir Jaffer’s counsel, Khawaja Haris, argued that while a toxicology test had been conducted on Noor Mukadam, no drug test was carried out on the convict. He maintained that media coverage and social media discussions surrounding the case created pressure during the trial, influencing the handling of certain aspects of the investigation.
The defence requested mitigation of the death sentence, arguing that all relevant facts should have been fully examined before capital punishment was imposed. However, the Supreme Court rejected these arguments.
Justice Hashim Kakar emphasized that courts do not make decisions based on media reports or social media campaigns. He stated that judicial decisions are based solely on evidence and legal principles. The bench also pointed out inconsistencies in the defence’s arguments regarding Zahir Jaffer’s mental condition at the time of the crime.
Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim noted that the trial court’s decision regarding a medical board had not been challenged before the High Court, making the matter legally settled. After reviewing all submissions, the Supreme Court dismissed the review petition and refused any reduction in the sentence.
The Noor Mukadam murder case shocked Pakistan in July 2021 when the 27-year-old daughter of a former diplomat was brutally tortured, raped, and beheaded at a residence in Islamabad. Zahir Jaffer was arrested shortly after the crime, and investigators recovered key evidence from the scene.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s latest ruling reinforces the earlier verdict and brings further legal closure to the Noor Mukadam case, which remains one of the most prominent criminal cases in Pakistan’s recent history.
