ISLAMABAD: In a landmark verdict delivered on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer for the heinous and gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam, a case that shocked the nation and sparked widespread demands for justice and reforms in protecting women’s rights.
Nearly four years after Noor Mukadam’s brutal killing at the hands of Jaffer in July 2021, the apex court decisively dismissed Jaffer’s appeal against his capital punishment.
The three-judge bench, comprising Justice Hashim Kakar, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, ruled that the evidence and prior court findings unequivocally supported the conviction for premeditated murder under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
However, the court slightly modified other sentences handed down at earlier stages. It commuted Jaffer’s second death penalty, imposed on charges of rape, to life imprisonment and reduced his 10-year sentence for kidnapping in order to murder to one year.
The court also maintained a fine of Rs100,000 on Jaffer and upheld the order to compensate Noor’s legal heirs with Rs500,000.
Two co-accused in the case—household staff members Mohammad Iftikhar and Jan Mohammad—had appealed their 10-year sentences. The Supreme Court reduced their punishment to time already served, ordering their immediate release.
Noor Mukadam, aged 27, daughter of retired diplomat Shaukat Mukadam, was found murdered in Jaffer’s upscale residence in Islamabad’s Sector F-7/4 on July 20, 2021. The investigation revealed she had endured hours of torture before being mercilessly beheaded with a sharp-edged weapon. Her death sent shockwaves across Pakistan, raising urgent questions about violence against women, societal attitudes, and the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
According to official statements and court records, Noor had been confined against her will for nearly 40 hours before the murder. DNA evidence and blood tests recovered from the crime scene were pivotal in linking Jaffer to the crime.
The brutal nature of the killing, combined with the high social standing of the accused, made this one of the most high-profile and sensitive cases in recent Pakistani history. It exposed deep fissures in the system’s ability to protect vulnerable women, and sparked nationwide demands for accountability.
The trial court sentenced Jaffer to death for murder and handed him 25 years for rape, alongside a 10-year sentence for kidnapping with intent to murder. His household staff were convicted for complicity in preventing Noor’s escape.
In October 2021, Zahir’s parents, prominent businessman Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamji, were also indicted for allegedly conspiring to conceal evidence and impede justice. However, a lower court acquitted them in later proceedings.
In March 2023, the Islamabad High Court upheld Zahir’s death sentence and increased his punishment for rape from 25 years to death. The same court rejected appeals from the co-accused.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard the final appeal. Zahir’s counsel argued for overturning the verdict, highlighting alleged procedural lapses such as the absence of a medical board assessing his mental state, and questioning the admissibility of some evidence, including a USB containing footage related to the case.
Justice Kakar presiding over the bench, however, underscored the overwhelming evidence and the horrific facts of the case, stating, “A daughter was mercilessly murdered.” The court maintained a firm stance on the need to deliver justice for Noor and ensure accountability.
The court hearings were not without controversy. Several comments made by judges during the trial and appeals were criticized for reflecting regressive attitudes towards the victim’s character. For instance, references were made implying that Noor’s spending time alone with Jaffer was “against our values,” which drew strong condemnation from women’s rights advocates.
Prominent activist Farzana Bari remarked that such remarks perpetuate harmful stereotypes that implicitly blame victims and grant perpetrators undue justification. “Judicial attitudes like these prolong the struggle for justice and deter many victims from seeking legal recourse,” she said.
Despite these setbacks, the verdict was hailed as a major victory for women’s rights and the rule of law in Pakistan.
Shafaq Zaidi, a childhood friend of Noor Mukadam, said outside the court: “This is a victory not just for Noor but for all women in Pakistan. It shows that our justice system can work and deliver justice, giving hope to victims and their families.”
Human rights defender Tahira Abdullah called the ruling “a milestone in the ongoing fight against patriarchy, sexism, and misogyny that plague our society and legal institutions.” She emphasized that the case must serve as a catalyst for systemic reforms to protect women from violence and exploitation.
While the Supreme Court’s ruling appears definitive, Pakistan’s Constitution grants the President the authority under Article 45 to grant pardons or commute sentences. This legal provision means that Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence could potentially be altered or suspended.
Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, has been vocal in demanding the harshest possible punishment for his daughter’s killer and fighting to prevent any leniency.
The case has spotlighted the need for Pakistan’s criminal justice system to evolve, including better victim protection, witness security, and sensitization of judicial authorities towards gender-based violence.
