The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had previously directed the trial to be resolved by December 14, 2021, within two months of the indictment of the suspects on October 14, 2021. The case deadline had then been extended to the end of January.
Additional Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani explained in a letter to the IHC that various delays had protracted the case beyond the deadline extension. Judge Atta said that lawyers for Zahir Jaffer, the primary accused, were all based outside of Islamabad and so court dates had to be scheduled around their availability.
The presiding judge also stated that various ancillary petitions had been filed in the case, which consumed much of the court's time.
The judge confirmed that statements from 17 witnesses had been recorded in the case, and the defence counsel had cross-examined all but one or two remaining witnesses.
As the next step in the trial, a questionnaire under section 342 of the Criminal Code will be administered to Jaffer's counsel. Then, closing arguments will be set to begin.
Noor Mukadam's murder trial has gripped the country since it began last year, with wild court antics from primary accused Zahir Jaffer often delaying the proceedings and enraging court observers and judicial activists alike. Despite protestations from his lawyers, the court has declared Zahir Jaffer mentally and physically fit to stand trial.